One Way Or Another Collaboration by the Bruery Terreux and Cascade Brewing Company

Rating: 5/5

One Way Or Another Collaboration by the Bruery Terreux and Cascade Brewing Company is a 9.3% ABV Belgian Sour Tripel brewed with Oregon Marionberries and California Meyer Lemon Zest and aged in oak barrels

Description:
Iconic bottles, distinctive flavors and outright admiration for each other. One way or another, we were going to brew a beer with our friends at Cascade Brewing. Together, we developed a new sour tripel recipe that we would brew at our separate facilities with each other – one here in Orange County, CA and the other in Portland, Oregon. The collaborative concept called for treating our creations with the same regional ingredients: Meyer lemons from California and marionberries from Oregon. Both brews would be destined to mature for over a year in oak under our respective roofs. At Bruery Terreux, we utilized a mix of New American Oak puncheons, fresh bourbon barrels, port barrels and oak wine barrels to create the ideal blend of flavors, and we couldn’t be more pleased with the complex, tangy tripel that emerged. Try it side by side with Cascade’s release to see how a single recipe can be interpreted One Way or Another.

Review: Rich and tart but lots of berries. Like a tart Agua fresca…. Awesome stuff

2017 Beauregarde by The Bruery Terreux

2016 Hoarders Cuvee by The Bruery Terreux

Rating: 5.5/6

2016 Hoarders Cuvee by The Bruery Terreux is a 12% Sour Blonde ale aged in oak barrels with Honey, and Wheatwine ale aged in Bourbon Barrels with Coconut, Hibiscus, Rose Hips and White Pepper

Label:
An invitation to join our Hoarders Society is the ultimate nod in how far you’ve come in your craft beer journey. Each year as a member, you get access to some of the most elusive and exclusive beers (such as this) and one-of-a-kind experiences, like going toe-to-toe with your peers in blending sessions exclusive to Hoarders.

This Cuvee is as dynamic as the members it competed against to gain top bragging rights in the Hoarders Cuvee blending tournament and be produced by Bruery Terreux in 2016. Designed by Hoarders Society members Kyle Landig, Paul Moore, Cory Townsend and Andy Williams, this Cuvee begins with one of the cornerstones of Bruery Terreux – our oak-aged sour blonde ale. We then premier a new ingredient in a packaged product for the first time in our company’s history: honey. Together with coconut, these two catapult the rich, barrel character found in our bourbon barrel-aged wheatwine ale, which is the second beer in the blend. Hibiscus, rose hips and white pepper balance the oaky, sweet and sour profile, adding a degree of spice and herbal characteristics to the dynamic blend.

==Introduction==

I obtained this beer from the Bruery Reserve as they were having a sale and happened to allow a Hoarders beer to be purchased. While I did try the Bruery’s version of the Cuvee, now I bring forth the Terreux version of the 2016 Cuvee. Amazingly, the Cuvee from the Bruery was far up there as being a one of the best I have ever had. I hope I can say the same for this one. Let’s take a look and see if it is worth seeking out, cheers!

Aromas:
Floral notes of hibiscus, rose notes, lavender, honey, tropical fruit, stone fruit, mild toasted coconut, wine grapes, biscuit bread, vanilla, toasted coconut, chocolate hints and bourbon oak.

Flavors:
Rich oak, Lemon peel, hibiscus, roses, floral hops, lavender, honey, Bourbon, toasted coconut, stone fruit peach apricot, lychee, biscuit bread, vanilla, cocada Mexican coconut candy notes, sweetened condensed milk, strawberries, kiwi, cherries, dragon fruit, passion fruit, lychee fruit, cane sugar, sour apples, wine grapes, Chardonnay, raspberries, white chocolate notes, oranges, tangerine hints, super lactic funk and white wine.

Aftertaste:
Finishes dry with floral notes, coconut, lemon peel, vanilla, oak, honey, oranges, hibiscus, strawberries and biscuit bread. No Alcohol in the taste, clear rose and golden body, crisp, refreshing and effervecent mouthfeel with a sipping drinkability.

Overall:
While it is exceptional and very delicious, I think the balance is the only thing that keeps it from being at the highest it could be. It is mainly tart and the sweetness is here and there but you can still tell there is a lot of complexity in this one. While I feel many who love sours will definitely enjoy this one, if you mainly love sours for its extreme sourness, then this one is an awesome one for you.

Anime Corner:
Aeris Gainsborough from Final Fantasy VII was chosen in this beer since I have yet to review a beer with Aeris but mainly since her colors fit well with the colors and ingredients of the beer. This beer is full of flowers and Aeris is a flower girl so I figure it was the most perfect pairing especially a beer such as this one, the golden cuvee.

Sources:
http://i.imgur.com/Z7iVoXe.jpg
https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/76/d5/a1/76d5a1334bf885972c8dec13d4511e32.jpg
http://img2.yiihuu.com/860X860/upimg/courses/2016/04/19/1-1461034043-529785.jpg?auto=h
http://images.forwallpaper.com/files/images/6/6c04/6c049fbc/100568/aerith-gainsborough.jpg
https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/93/b9/b7/93b9b7af4b08eab0082ac228b2d2a8b2.jpg

Imperial Biscotti Break Raspberry Umami by Evil Twin Brewing

15304073_10103767646942290_6536431467315646772_oRating: 6/6

Imperial Biscotti Break Raspberry Umami by Evil Twin Brewing is an 11.5% Imperial Stout aged in Oak Barrels with Coffee Beans and Raspberry

Label:
None!

==Introduction==
15252603_10103767647905360_9089962136158953556_o
Obtained this one on my way to the Bruery when I visited Mr. K’s liquor. It literally is in front of the Bruery and they do have a lot of awesome stuff. When I saw this, I definitely had to pick it up. 2 reasons, one is because their Doughnut Break was one of the most awesome beers I have ever had. Even the “Imperial Biscotti Break Natale – Pretty Please With A Cherry On Top” was one of the best as well. So surely, the raspberry coffee one was definitely one I wanted to bring to the site. Now, with that in mind, let’s have a look shall we? Cheers!

Aromas:
Dark fruit raisins, currants, plums, boysen berries, cranberries, dark cherries, Rich Raspberries, Raspberry cordials, port wine, wine grapes, butterscotch, dulce de leche caramel, fruit cake, dark chocolate, milk chocolate, mocha, roasted coffee, coffee cake, molasses, anise, hazelnut nectar, pecan pie, sweetened condensed milk, crème brulee, Irish cream, rocky road ice cream, toasted coconut hints and pomegranates.
15271796_10103767648025120_88604068773857474_o
Flavors:
Rich Raspberries, port wine, wine grapes, butterscotch, dark chocolate, milk chocolate, mocha, roasted coffee, coffee cake, dragon fruit, passion fruit, dark fruit raisins, currants, plums, boysen berries, cranberries, dark cherry cheesecake, pomegranates, sea salt, oak, vanilla, toasted rye bread with raspberry preserves, molasses, anise, hazelnut nectar, pecan pie, sweetened condensed milk, crème brulee, Irish cream, rocky road ice cream, toasted coconut hints, marshmallow smores, brown sugar, fruit cake, dulce de leche caramel, fudge and raspberry cake, walnuts, chocolate truffles, raspberry cordials and jelly doughnuts.

Aftertaste:
Finishing with rich raspberries, oak, dark fruit, vanilla, mocha, anise, caramel, dark chocolate, and wine notes. No alcohol in the tasted, Dark Crimson Full Body, very smooth, creamy, rich and velvety mouthfeel and easy to moderate drinkability.

Overall:
Ridiculously delicious. This came to me as a surprise. This beer actually reminded me so much of the beer I made, which was the Raging Passion Lactus Raspear Dragons which was aged in oak with raspberries but other fruits and lactose other than coffee. The flavors were very similar but my brew was fruitier. The fact that I was able to pick up the punch of chocolate raspberries made me realize that the brew I had made was definitely worthy to be commercial like this one. Regardless, this one is definitely worthy of praise and should sought out, I highly recommend this one.
15325277_10103767648094980_2370464602197932140_o
Anime Corner:
Pyrrha Nikos from RWBY was chosen in this pairing as I wanted to bring her into the site for the longest time. Her colors represent the raspberries but also the strength and kindness goes well with the ABV and the complex flavors of the beer which are generally sweet.
15259785_10103767648374420_8867330888921198435_o
Sources:
http://vignette2.wikia.nocookie.net/yakuza-mob-roleplay/images/b/bc/1YMRPBio.jpg/revision/latest?cb=20150817231753
https://i.redditmedia.com/AzMrFtjvoe9rT4DCKQFUsn7LBXtZt9XPX0cumhrq0Os.jpg?w=400&s=9529acd0c6185460df4823133cd923d6
http://i.imgur.com/xooKCtJ.jpg
http://76.72.168.19/images/2016-02-24-813002.jpeg

Humulus Rueuze by The Bruery Terreux

14714922_10103627995569760_1750868754556747790_oRating: 4.25/5

Humulus Rueuze by The Bruery Terreux is a 5.7% ABV Gueuze brewed with Huell Melon Hops and aged in oak barrels.

Label:
FUNKY-HOPPY-TWIST

Commercial Description:
Humulus Rueuze is a variation on our take on the traditional Belgian-style lambic gueuze with one major exception: massive amounts of dry hops. To begin, we carefully select a number of oak barrels that have been aging our sour blonde ale for anywhere from several months to several years, and then blend the beers together for the ideal flavor. Once that is achieved, we pile heaps of Hallertau Blanc hops on top to achieve an aromatic blend like no other, inundating the senses with citrusy, tropical, funky and grassy goodness. This is one complex beer, and it’s best consumed fresh.

==Introduction==
14615819_10103627995469960_3480303095360460613_o
Released to all societies, this one was one that I wasn’t going to bring to the site. It just so happened that I got it as part of the preservation series I subscribe to. So I figured, I give it the ol’ heave ho! And away we go treatment. Essentially, it is not on the site and I am sure people would want to hear about it. To be frank, as much as I love The Bruery sours, the regular Rueuze was super sour. Which I do find awesome but when it comes to trying to find the intricacies of some of the sours it is hard to find. Nevertheless, this one is dry hopped so this one is bound to be even better than the Rueuze I hope. Let’s find out, cheers!

Aromas:
Herbal, floral, piney and earthy hops, honey dew melon, strawberry hints, citrus, orange peel, grapefruit hints, vanilla, farmhouse hay, berries, guava, brettanomyces notes, biscuit bread, oak and yogurt.

Flavors:
Lemon, salt, lime, vanilla, biscuit bread, tejuino maize drink, herbal, floral, piney and earthy hops
strawberry yogurt, wine grapes, funky farmhouse hay, stone fruit apricots, cheese, crackers, oak, Concorde grapes, cranberries, tart berry skins, sour white grapes, brettanomyces notes, passion fruit, guava, orange peel, grapefruit peel, cantaloupe and honeydew melon.

Aftertaste:
Finishes super dry leaving hints of lemon, wet hay, funk, vanilla, bread, floral and earthy hops. No alcohol in the taste, pale golden light to hazy body. Crisp, refreshing and effervescent mouthfeel along with a moderate to sipping drinkability.

Overall:
Very delicious indeed! I was wrong in my take but I do agree the hops made a huge difference in the complexity of this one. It adds the complexity of special fruits which mix very well with this sour type of beer. Essentially, giving certain fruity and complex flavors that are not normally there as ingredients. If you have a friend that is in one of the societies or if you sign up for the Bruery Preservation society you can definitely get this one. It is worth a try but you can definitely get other similar sours.
14706910_10103627995474950_2272368384945523907_o
Anime Corner:
Rydia of The Mist from Final Fantasy 4 was used in this pairing as I have not used her in a Bruery pairing before (as far as I can remember) This one was the perfect opportunity as she fits well with the label colors and the hop and fruit profiles. She is a summoner and sorceress so the funk of this beer is essentially the magic that comes from every sip.
14706912_10103627995459980_9181322117951084726_o
Sources:
https://www.ponychan.net/gala/src/1450141432427.jpg
http://d-mob.com/wp-content/attachments/1/812/10.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/Suk0cnL.jpg
http://s3.amazonaws.com/cdn.roosterteeth.com/uploads/images/87c01965-7f4a-4134-a3fe-ea67a070d6cc/md/CaButler5179caf1020f0.jpg

4 Fourth Anniversary by Figueroa Mountain

14560166_10103598545557820_1592579853259566570_oRating: 7/7

4 Fourth Anniversary by Figueroa Mountain is an 11% ABV Belgian Quadrupel brewed with figs and aged in oak barrels.

Label:
The number 4 is powerful and prevalent. For our fourth anniversary, it was apropos to brew a Belgian-style Abbey Quadrupel for the special occasion Crafted in the traditional style of Trappist monastery breweries. This massive dark ale was aged in oak barrels with figs an ancient and sacred fruit. We look forward to the infinite possibilities for Figueroa Mountain Brewing Company as the sensors pass and the phases of the moon come full circle.
==Introduction==

It has been a while I tried a Figueroa Mountain brewing beer. I do believe the last one I tried from them was their 2nd Anniversary Grand cru. That beer was very delicious but when I saw this one, I was very excited. They took a quadruple and aged it with figs in oak barrels. I was unable to find information to see if this one had oak sitting in a particular spirit. Anyway, quadrupels are some of my favorite types of beers. There is a special place in my heart for the style so anytime I see one, I have to try it at least and if I can, bring it to the website. I usually compare it to St. Bernardus 12abt, best quad ever! (To me). Fortunately, I was able to bring this one here but let’s see how this one does. Cheers!

Aromas:
Massive dark fruits figs, dates, plums, prunes, currants blackberries, pomegranates, strawberries, raspberries, blueberries, boysenberries, cranberries, bananas, clove spice, grilled plantains, port wine, sherry, rich fruit cake, stone fruit peach, apricots, mango, brown sugar, dark candi sugar, dulce de leche caramel, vanilla, oak, bourbon hints, piloncillo sugar cone, flan, cinnamon, ginger bread, sweetened condensed milk with mixed berries and milk chocolate.

Flavors:
Super Rich Dark fruit raisins, figs, dates, plums, prunes, currants blackberries, pomegranates, strawberries, raspberries, blueberries, boysenberries, cranberries, dark candi sugar, rock candy, toasted bread with mixed berry preserves, Capirotada Mexican bread pudding, figgy pudding, dark chocolate, milk chocolate, chocolate raisinettes, cherry cordials, tangerine preserves, orange notes, dulce de leche caramel, vanilla, oak, bourbon hints, piloncillo sugar cone, flan, cinnamon, ginger bread, coriander spice, sweetened condensed milk with mixed berries, Mixed Berry yogurt, rich mixed berry cheese cake, dulce de leche caramel, bananas, clove spice, grilled plantains, port wine, sherry, rich fruit cake, pecan pie, stone fruit peach, apricots and mango.

Aftertaste:
Finishes with super massive barrage of rich dark fruit and mixed fruit flavors, oak, bourbon vanilla, marshmallow smores, dark chocolate, earthy notes and rich dark candi sugar. No alcohol in the taste, bloody crimson body, smooth, cream, velvety and chewy mouthfeel along with a sipping drinkability.

Overall:
I have no fucking idea what makes this quad so damn exceptional ridiculous. This quad is probably the highest grade I have given a quadrupel if not for the St. Bernardus 12 ABT Apple Brandy oak aged. Essentially this Quadrupel is a super damn dark fruit in your face quad with so much variants of fruit and delicious caramels and vanilla I have not seen in a while since Mikkeller’s raspberry quad. I am sure enjoying the hell out of this brew for damn sure and definitely recommend you highly get this one.

Anime Corner:
Super Saiyan Son Bra from Dragon Ball Multiverse is the daughter of Vegito (Fusion of Goku and Vegeta) from the universe where Vegito never unfused. She was used in this pairing to go with colors of the label but also the dark fruits and supreme complexity that this beer provides. A quadruple to be reckon with only pairs some of the best characters and Son Bra was the best one to use in this instance.
14500654_10103598545542850_7461626298567544823_o
Sources:
http://i.imgur.com/wQZySjx.jpg

2016 Tart of Darkness Cherries & Vanilla by The Bruery Terreux

13738215_10103423798367590_1587449561704173131_o 13781726_10103423801062190_2339272195439250998_nRating: 5.5/6

2016 Tart of Darkness Cherries & Vanilla by The Bruery Terreux is a 7.% ABV American Wild Stout aged in Oak Barrels with Cherries and Vanilla Beans.

New Label:
Roasty – Midnight – Delight

Old Label:
SAUERSTAUT

With a roasty aroma and a tart finish, this sour black ale is a contortion of style and flavor, creating an unexpected delight.

Tart of Darkness with Cherries & Vanilla is best enjoyed fresh for bold spice and fruit character, but my pleasantly if cellared properly.
___

Released to the Preservation and Reserve Societies once again and possibly the a public release, this is the second time I try this beer. I was not going to do a review of this one since I had already done one in the past but as soon as I tried it and the new label came about, I had to give it a shot. This beer is a variant to the publicly sold Tart of Darkness. I will be honest, while the tart of darkness is a very good sour, it does not compare to my favorite sour stout Madrugada Obscura by Jolly Pumpkin. The cherries and vanilla from the last time I reviewed this beer made a huge difference. Draw your puckeringly sour sword and get ready to take action!

Aromas:
Dark cherry yogurt, Vanilla ice cream, caramel,Lavender, cotton candy, strawberry cheesecake, lemon peel, citrus, dark chocolate hints, blueberry skins, earthy notes, Cherry vanilla Dr. Pepper hints, molasses, anise, licorice, lemon peel, sour funky notes, citrus, port wine hints, blue berry muffin and brown sugar.

Flavors:
Toasted coconut, coffee, mocha, rich dark fruit cherries, raisins, prunes, concord grapes, currants, blueberries, vanilla cream, caramel, tart wine grapes, dark chocolate, milk chocolate, bakers chocolate, sour cherry cordials, floral lavender, dark cherry yogurt, strawberry cheese cake, brown sugar, blueberry muffin, lemon peel, Cherry Vanilla Dr. Pepper hints, grape skins, port wine hints, oak, earthy notes and musty sour funky notes.

Aftertaste:
Tart wine grapes, oak, dark cherry yogurt hints, vanilla, coconut hints, and earthy notes finishing all fast and dry. No alcohol in the taste, murky amber brown full body with no head retention, soft, smooth and slightly creamy mouthfeel and a sipping drinkability.

Overall:
Awesome sauce this year. I don’t know if I liked this one more or the last time I tried this one more. There is so much more chocolate coconut in this one along with vanilla and cherry sour stout goodness that I think it actually is beating the Madrugada Obscura. The Bruery definitely out did themselves this time and I would highly recommend this one if you love sours!

Anime Corner:
Saber Alter/Dark Saber from Fate/Stay Night/Hollow Ataraxia was used in this pairing since I used Jean from Claymore. Basically both represent the “Dark Knight” In the Tart of Darkness. The return of this brew show cases Saber as she tries to battle her inner darkness but realizes that without embracing both the light and evil, she is nothing. You can also say Saber is Vanilla and Dark Saber is the Cherries. The aspect of the warrior of darkness and the fact that I have used Saber in many Dark chocolate and cherry flavored beers just pushes my conviction that much further. The Dark Arts have to do with blasphemy against the church but the strange part, as holy as some organizations are, some hold deep dark secrets that the public never knows about. Tart of Darkness with Cherries and Vanilla brings that aspect of sour evil but yet sweet and forgiving aspects that are pretty damn Holy if you ask me. Think of it as the sweetness delivering the darkness of the beer from evil Either way, great beer and great pairing I think.

Sources:
http://tsundora.com/image/2014/10/fate_stay_night_673.jpg
http://pm1.narvii.com/5832/37ca0cfb16b4e985b40f227f7ae4a7b2aafa50da_hq.jpg

2016 Oude Tart with Cherries by The Bruery Terreux

13248600_10103282257007610_5563560586842242424_o 13308335_10103282257985650_2928369559352961559_o 13320566_10103282258809000_2179962375813115690_oRating: 5/5

2016 Oude Tart with Cherries by The Bruery Terreux is an 8.4% ABV World Class Flanders/Flemish Red Ale aged in oak barrels with Cherries.

Label:
Plump-Leathery-Tangy

Commercial Description:
Oude Tart is a Flemish-Style Red Ale aged in red wine barrels for up to 18 months. This version has had cherries added for the final stages of barrel aging. It’s pleasantly sour with hints of leather, tangy dark fruit, plump cherries and toasty oak. While the base beer is one of the more classic styles that we make, it’s not a style that you can find too often in the United States. Originating in style from the Flanders region of Belgium, near the French border, this dark, sour ale has roots deep in brewing history and predates most of the ales that have become popular in contemporary culture. We’re doing our best to keep the tradition alive by brewing and aging this beer here on the West Coast.

==Introduction==

Releases to all societies of the Bruery, this is the second time I try this beer. The first time I tried I had recalled all the delicious cherry flavors and how it definitely made a mark. To me it felt so much that I had to bring it back for another go. Now with much more released, you may get a chance to try it this time if you for the society membership. Let’s see how this new batch does.

Aromas:
Caramel, rye bread, dark cherries, dark fruit raisins, plums, currants, raspberries, oak mustiness, lemon, leather, brown sugar, vanilla, funky wine grapes, tart cherry juice, sour apples, cherry pie, pecan pie hints, cinnamon, oak, hazelnut and cherry cheesecake notes.

Flavors:
Dark Cherry forward, Black Cherry Yogurt, lemon peels, biscuit bread, dark fruit raisins, plums, currants, figs, vanilla, oak, leather, tobacco, cherry preserves on rye bread, crème brulee, toffee, red wine, wine grapes, cherry cobbler, caramel, cherry cheesecake, brown sugar, tropical fruit notes of pineapple, stone fruit apricots, mango, pecan pie, coconut hints, cherry cobbler, fruit cake, and Danish cookies.

Aftertaste:
Finishing with dry notes of caramel, vanilla, cinnamon, dark cherry yogurt, and wine oak notes. No alcohol in the taste, medium reddish brown body, creamy, effervescent, velvety mouthfeel and moderate to sipping drinkability.

Overall:
Very delicious and as always, love how the Cherries just go through the sourness and give more of like a sweet dark cherry tart yogurt flavor. The complexity is just as awesome as when I had it before and while I think the Cherries do change the dynamic of the original oude tart, it essentially makes it very appealing. Good thing now the preservation societies can enjoy this one as well and soon, the public. Highly recommended sours.

Anime Corner:
Ruby Rose and her sister Yang Xiao Long from RWBY were used in this pairing since I used Yang in the Oude Tar Pairing. In fact, they were used in the previous Oude Tart Cherries pairing. Because of the fact that they are sisters, putting them together is like adding the cherries to Oude Tart. Ruby Rose, ofcourse is the cherry here. They are an awesome team. I wanted to show how the beer tends to be a splash of fruity flavors as you can see Ruby jumping in to add that layer of complexity.

Sources:
https://i.ytimg.com/vi/mc2rOFKCQXc/maxresdefault.jpg
http://img2.wikia.nocookie.net/__cb20140429113205/rwby/images/4/47/Blake_belladonna_clouds_moon_pool_ruby_rose_rwby_signed_sky_swimsuit_weiss_schnee_yang_xiao_long.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/CBJv02O.jpg

Ruebarb (Windowsill’s Return?) The Bruery Terreux

12697056_10103052903453970_3408727196700149576_o 12644807_10103052904042790_3239749991200155686_nRating: 5/5

Ruebarb (Windowsill’s Return?) The Bruery Terreux is a 6% ABV Sour Belgian Blonde aged in Oak Barrels with Raspberries and Rhubarb

Label:
Snappy – Fruity – Oaky

Commercial Description:
If you’re looking for a beer that tastes like grandma’s cooking, look elsewhere. But if you’re looking for a beer that is jam-packed with nostalgia, you’ve come to the right place. Ruebarb is an oak-aged sour blonde ale with red raspberries and rhubarb. Bright berry kernels break and give way to a tart, jammy sweet flavor. Mildly bitter herbal and floral notes accompany the raspberry-rhubarb combo as it alternates between sweet and sour. Beer and dessert have never tasted better together.

==Introduction==

Released to the Reserve Society and Hoarders Society by the Bruery. When I first saw this brew and its ingredients, I could only think of the Rhubarb Pie beer I had from them called Windowsill. It has been some time since I tried that beer but the fact that is made with the same ingredients, I could not get away from the fact that I think this is Windowsill’s successor. There is not much to tell from the description or from the Bruery from what I can tell, but I will go with what I know. Let’s take a look at this brew. Cheers!

Aromas:
Danish cream, Stone fruit apricots, peaches, dark fruit raspberries, cherries, boysenberries, raisin hints, blackberries, fruit cake, grape wine, oak, vanilla, waffle cone, brown sugar, cranberries, funky hay hints, floral hibiscus, lavender, herbal Rhubarb, guava and brown sugar.

Flavors:
Rich tart raspberries dark fruit cherries, boysenberries, raisin hints, grape wine, oak, vanilla, waffle cone, brown sugar, cranberries, strawberry preserves on toasted bread, caramel, citrus, lemon peel, honey, butterscotch, pecan pie hints, funky hay hints, floral hibiscus, lavender, herbal Rhubarb, guava flavors, Danish cream, Stone fruit apricots, peaches, blackberries and fruit cake notes.

Aftertaste:
Finishes dry with lingering hints of tart raspberry, oak, rhubarb, vanilla, strawberries and stone fruit. No alcohol in the taste, crimson light body, effervescent, crisp, refreshing and tangy mouthfeel with a moderate drinkability

Overall:
Delicious in many ways. Sweet and sour. Liquid pie flavors with sour notes. I really think this is essentially Windowsill. There is a lot of stuff that reminded me of the original release of the beer. The rich Raspberry and Rhubarb blends well with so much of the other complex flavors in somewhat of a tarty balance. With that being said, I think if you love sweet and sour beers, this one is awesome!

Anime Corner:
Sakura Haruno from Naruto was used in this pairing as I have used her in the pairing to Windowsill. Seeing as the ingredients were so similar and me believing this is the predecessor to windowsill, I figured it was a good way to go about it as she does pair well with the colors of the label, ingredients and complex flavors. Sexy and sweet like this brew! Cheers!

Sources:
http://moecharaga.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/000566.png (18+)
http://img15.deviantart.net/8f6a/i/2015/085/8/e/sakura_haruno_by_aechanart-d8n6db9.jpg

Despertado en Manzanilla by Freetail brewing

12593645_10103030121908370_6709390027224427411_oRating: 4.5/5

Despertado en Manzanilla by Freetail brewing is a 7.3% ABV American Wild Ale brewed with Chamomile and aged in oak barrels.

Label:
The first batch of Witicus at our new S. Presa digs was a lesson in brewhouse perseverance. We put it to bed in a combination of our old pub barrels that produced Ananke and Woodicus, as well as newer barrels recently relinquished from viticulture. We crossed our fingers and dreamed of Woodicus. What we got was an unexpected delight: rough-edges smoothed over, slightly tart nuances threading through and chamomile awakened in all its humble glory.

==Introduction==

Awoken in Chamomile as stated by the name was a brew that was traded to me by my friend Aaron Mendiola from BeerMetalDude.com. This one uses Freetail’s base brew, Witicus but aged in oak with some Chamomile. A very awesome sounding beer that we were able to bring to the website thanks to Aaron. There aren’t many brews out there that use Chamomile in the beers and to have this one here is very unique. For Freetail brewing, let’s see how their Chamomile beer stacks up. Cheers!

Aromas:
Stone fruit apricot, peaches, lime notes, orange peel, cane sugar, chamomile, honey, floral notes, hibiscus, peppercorn, oak, wine notes, funky notes, banana hints, strawberry hints, biscuit bread, crème brulee hints, yerba buena mint and brown sugar.

Flavors:
Honey, Chamomile, hibiscus notes, floral notes, peppercorn, oak, white wine grapes, funky notes, wheat bread, coriander spice, Stone fruit apricot, peaches, lime notes, orange peel, cane sugar, honey comb, banana hints, strawberry hints, biscuit bread, crème brulee hints, yerba buena mint, green tea and earthy notes.

Aftertaste:
Finishes dry with some notes of oak, chamomile, oak, wine grapes and cake sugar. No alcohol in the taste. Golden Honey colored full body, crisp, smooth, refreshing and rich mouthfeel with an easy drinkability.

Overall:
A very good beer. Some notes of the chamomile are present but mainly some complex goodness melds together into a very nice tart brew. I think fans of saisons and wild ales will dig this one. Thanks to my friend Aaron for this delicious brew and Freetail for making it. Hopefully, one day we can get Freetail beers around the west coast.

Anime Corner:
Original Bee Girl was used in this pairing as it represents the bee and the colors of the flavors and the label of this beer. Bees and bats go hand in hand like I stated a while back in my homebrew about how they relate to extracting nectar from flowers. The same nectar that coincides with the delicious nectar of this beer and the Chamomile flowers the bees get it from. So to me the bee girl was the good choice for this.

Sources:
http://www.theanimegallery.com/data/thumbs/790px/0120/tAG_120516.jpg

Rojzilla by Jolly Pumpkin

12080262_10102850714497260_7013942095835337544_o 12068865_10102850715510230_6580475559548106264_o 12080250_10102850716203840_9015774510376298724_oRating: 5.25/6

Rojzilla by Jolly Pumpkin is a 7.4% ABV Michigan Sour Amber/Flanders Biere aged and oak barrels.

Label:

‘Twould Fill With Joy, and madness Stark

The Hoi Polloi!

That’s a quote – Can’t remember from whence at the moment.

==Introduction==

Finally, the king of all Flanders beer monsters has arrived. This beer is essentially La Roja but aged for a year-and-a-half in a 100-bbl oak foudre then split into regular oak barrels at varying ages which basically creates a mutated, radioactive giant red cat that’s pissed! Not the average Puss N’ Boots or the General Cat of La Roja Du Kriek. This is what happens when that very red cat is pumped full of catnip to levels over 9000! Seems legit to me and as a Godzilla tribute, Fuck YEAH! This beer was damn hard to find online until I found the K&L Wines that provided 1 per customer purchase. As much harder to find that La Roja or even the elusive Roja Du Kriek. Time to take on a beast decades in the making!

Aromas:

Stone fruit tart apricots, peaches, apples, mango hints, Rich oak caramel, toffee, dulce de leche caramel, rye bread, lemons, wine grapes, Chardonay, Cherry yogurt, Tart raspberries, cranberries, Strawberry Danish hints, Concorde grape hints, tejuino maize drink, tart orange peel, coriander, minor hints of tropics like dragon fruit, passion fruit, lychee and musty earthy notes.

Flavors:

Deep oak, vanilla hints, dulce de leche caramel hints, wine grapes, Cherry yogurt, Tart Raspberries, lemons, Strawberry Danish, floral notes of hibiscus, lavender, dark fruit raisins, plums, dark cherries, figs, cranberries, peppercorn, coriander spice, butterscotch hints, rye bread, rose petals, Stone fruit tart apricots, peaches, apples, mango hints, tejuino salted maize cocktail, rye bread, dragon fruit, passion fruit, lychee fruit, chamomile, musty earthy notes, puckering tart oranges, biscuit bread, toffee hints, ginger spice and honey dew melon hints.

Aftertaste:

Super Dry finish with lots of oak, cherry notes, wine grapes, earthy notes and vanilla. No alcohol in the taste, smooth and creamy mouthfeel, Amber medium body and a moderate drinkability.

Overall:

Damn crazy sour amber with a variety of super complex flavors that I think many who love sours will come to appreciate. While La Roja is a strong component in this beer, the complex oak by using different barrels makes this one pretty crazy. I do not think I have ever seen that done for any beer really. It makes this one unique and well definitely worth a pick up if you love sours, but only if you love sours really. Love me some sours and those that do, go get this one!

Anime Corner:

Pururun/Polly Esther from Samurai Pizza Cats returns here for this pairing as I wanted to represent how La Roja went even more wild than before to the point that it became a beast as Polly unleashes! As a Tribute to Godzilla, I added the Female personification of the raged nuclear Godzilla and also the Samurai Armored/Gundam version of Polly as it represent the other love for robots! The pairings pair with the label mainly but also the Gian 100BBL barrel that they had used to ferment this great beer.

Sources:

http://i.imgur.com/mmPpgnK.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/7HFT2hc.png

http://img09.deviantart.net/9801/i/2014/172/2/5/burning_godzilla_by_gamerag3-d7nao3z.jpg

Blå Spøg Else collaboration by Mikkeller and Three Floyds

12034420_10102849580260280_3267370887212404091_o 12122471_10102849580938920_2136938409145135943_n 12079864_10102849581492810_5058367464597253386_oRating: 5.25/6

Blå Spøg Else collaboration by Mikkeller and Three Floyds is a 7.7% ABV Blueberry Lambic aged in Oak Barrels.

COMMERCIAL DESCRIPTION
The newest addition to the ever expanding collaboration brew list. Once again arm in arm with our FFF brothers. Blå Spøgelse, paving the way with its blueberry and oak barrel action, will knock you right off your feet.

==Introduction==

Been looking for this beer for 2 years! Blå Spøgelse or ‘Blue ghost’, just like when Pacman collects the large pill and the ghosts turn blue. This beer is essentially a major tribute to Pacman and as such, was one of the reasons I wanted to bring it forward to the website as it represents a great deal to the Video Game Community along with the Craftbeer community. Many adults in this age will recognize that retro label for sure. Especially those that love sours. Mikkeller and Three Floyds are not your average players in the craft beer industry but are definitely high in the popular craft chain just like The Bruery, Stone, Russian River and even Firestone Walker in California. So anyway, the fact that this beer is finally here, let’s take a look and get READY! To chomp on… umm…. try some delicious beer Insert Pacman Theme Paku Paku Paku Paku!

Aromas:
Dark fruits raisins, plums, tart raspberry, stone fruits like apricots, sour wine grapes, blueberries, flowers like hibiscus, chamomile, lavender, roses, oak, vanilla, caramel, Blueberry yogurt, Blueberry cheese cake hints, lemon hints and funky notes.

Flavors:
Blueberry yogurt, Blueberry cheese cake, vanilla, oak, hibiscus, lavender, wine grapes, port wine notes, tart blackberries, dark fruit raisins, plums figs, hints of Danish cream sweetness, banana hints, Belgian phenolic notes, funky notes, rich lemons and lemon peel, Stone fruit tart apricots, Concorde grapes, blueberry cobbler hints, tart green apples, blueberry pie, pecan pie, brown sugar, piloncillo sugar cone, marshmallow hints, anise, hints of chocolate, mushrooms, vegetable hints and sangria mezcal grape hints.

Aftertaste:
Finishing dry with creamy cheese cake or blueberry pie sweetness but over super sour tart blueberries, raspberries, vanilla, stone fruit, oak and dark fruit. No alcohol in the taste, Super purple and magenta full body, creamy, effervescent, crisp and refreshing mouthfeel, sipping drinkability.

Overall:
A sour but a sour pushing some boundaries. A lot of the extra credit for this beer came in especially from the way they were able to balance it out with some complex sweetness as this is not your typical sour. While the sourness is the forefront of the beer, the other half is taken over by a complex fruitiness and and dessert like characteristics. Glad I was able to find it after a 2 year search! Essentially, it took them a while to brew it and have be brought here to the states. Go find this one online before it is gone for sure! If you love sours, this is awesome!

Anime Corner:
Samus Aran from Metroid, Ky Kyske & Sol Badgirl from Guilty gear, Lucina from Fire Emblem and even PacMan himself all pair with this unique beer as a tribute to Pacman. Samus represents Pacman in this pairing as it looks like she is traveling through corridors of light and darkness like Pacman would. She has the same hair color as pacman and blue for blueberries. Ky represents Pacman and Sol the Ghosts in the pacman games and finally, Pacman himself with Lucina representing the blueberries. Overall, Pacman beer tribute complete!

Sources:
https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/originals/ed/d2/7c/edd27ccfc65b1cc96d657eb442a62e56.jpg
http://konachan.com/image/0ce5476e8e38f8d5942e514028b21151/Konachan.com%20-%2024049%20cosplay%20guilty_gear%20ky_kiske%20sol_badguy.jpg
http://i3.pixiv.net/img-original/img/2014/10/02/23/23/08/46313650_p0.jpg

Prairie Rue collaboration by The Bruery Terreux and Prairie Artisan Ales

12052339_10102848161777930_1738711641636072766_o 12063545_10102848162371740_2398445237401860193_nRating: 5.25/5

Prairie Rue collaboration by The Bruery Terreux and Prairie Artisan Ales is a 6.9% American Farmhouse Ale Fermented in Oak Barrels.

==Introduction==

No description on this one but a sought after it will be for sure. Released at 2 limit for Reserve and Hoarders Society, this beer would not even see the Oklahoma distribution. So unless you have a friend on the California end that is willing to trade for this one, that maybe your only option. Unfortunately, my other one will be seeing another more, hellish domain but also a great craft beer website. So let us see this one for what it is, aside from two super coveted brewery brands coming together to make an awesome collab. Cheers!

Aromas:
Dulce de leche caramel, vanilla, oak, hazelnut nectar, funky notes, tamarind notes, cola hints, molasses, old mango, citrus, dark fruit figs, raisins, prune hints, brown sugar, Ginger spice, fruit cake notes, Stone fruit apricots, earthy hop notes, smokey hints, graham crackers, mild chocolate notes, clove spice and banana

Flavors:
Rich oak, vanilla, rich Caramel, rich toffee, Farmhouse hay, wine grapes, pecan pie, hazelnut nectar, funky notes, tamarind notes, biscuit bread, tangerine jam on toasted rye bread, leather notes, floral notes like roses, cola hints, molasses, old mango, citrus, dark fruit figs, raisins, prune hints, brown sugar, earthy hop notes, smokey hints, graham crackers, mild chocolate notes, clove spice, banana notes, cinnamon, Ginger bread, Ginger spice, fruit cake notes, Stone fruit apricots, Red Apples, roasted malts, coffee cake, Red Velvet cake, Italian herb hints.

Aftertaste:
Lingering caramel notes, earthy hop notes, stone fruit, tropical fruit hints, rye bread and jam with some floral hops and funky notes. No alcohol in the taste, crimson amber medium body, smooth, creamy and velvety mouthfeel and easy drinkability.

Overall:
Exceptionally delicious Farmhouse Ale leaning towards more of a velvety amber ale with some funky notes. The beer reminded me a lot of Perennial and Cigar City’s Philly Taco for some reason but more on the oak and malty side. While this was very interesting, I couldn’t help notice that the flavors just went beyond even that beer into some really complex fruit and malty goodness. This collaboration really got exciting. Unfortunately, it will be hard to find this one but you maybe able to find it on a trade. Cheers!

Anime Corner:
Jenny XJ-9 from MLAATR was used in this pairing since I wanted to pair some of the colors with of the beer with her and for the fact that this beer along with some others were the last of the summer beers. As flavors start to shift into the fall season, this beer seemed like that halfway point where Summer ends and Fall begins. This can be seen by the birds in the label migrating. What else does Jenny have to do with this pairing? Well, mainly some of the hidden teal colors pair with her just like a robot is complex, so is this beer. Complex to the point where flavors start to go in many directions. So enjoy a super coldly calculated beer like Jenny before the summer ends.

Sources:
http://img12.deviantart.net/d773/i/2013/242/6/8/jenny_at_beach_by_14_bis-d6kd7xq.jpg
http://orig09.deviantart.net/1e06/f/2007/163/c/6/volleyball_jenny_by_14_bis.jpg

The Arbre Series: Light Toast, Medium Toast and Alligator Char by The Bruery (Triple Review)

11951735_10102795644847280_6506518439376341715_oIntroduction:
The Arbre series as described by Patrick Rue, is a series of Imperial Stouts that have been aged in different types of oak barrels ranging from 45 second toast of the barrel all the way to completely charred. This series was released in August 2015 for the Reserve and Hoarders society. Today, I bring these forth to explain the story of each individual beer taking a whole lot of time and concentration trying to come up with what flavor experience hides within each one. This is the first time I do a triple review and well, I realize this will take me several hours to do. The thing is, this type of review took me a couple of days of trying a couple of sips at a time trying to recall each beer and how it was the same and what intricate parts were different. Essentially, this introduction is technically the last touches as the body of the review holds all my notes. It is not an easy task just to look at the most apparent flavors and try to find the complexity beneath each sip of these three beers but it was a task well endeavored. So let’s see what all these beers are all about, Cheers!

Arbre Light Toast
============11952815_10102795660036840_3064156826201193051_o
Arbre Light Toast by The Bruery is an 11.3% ABV Imperial Stout aged in light toasted oak barrels.

Label:
RAISE A TOAST!
The Arbre Series explores the flavors contributed by various levels of oak toast in barrels from out friends at Kelvin Cooperage in Louisville, KY.

The Arbre Series is an exploration of barrel toast. This lightest variation reveals young nutty notes of oak as well as raisins and a slight smoke.

Aromas:
Light smoke, BBQ hints, leather hints, milk chocolate, dark chocolate, light oak notes, leather, tobacco, dark fruit raisins, prunes, cherry, blue berries, wood plant, bourbon hints, coconut, almond joy chocolate and brown sugar.

Flavors:
Milk chocolate, dark chocolate, light oak notes, leather, tobacco, rye, light beachwood, light marshmallow notes, graham crackers, molasses, anise, bacon hints, BBQ, mild smoked wood, bourbon hints, coconut, brown sugar, almond joy chocolate dark fruit raisins, prunes, cherry, blueberries, wood plant, caramel, vanilla, minor hints of sweetened condensed milk, chocolate milk shake.

Aftertaste:
Dry oak, earthy notes, light toasted oak, rye bread, milk chocolate, BBQ hints, and wood plant like finish. No alcohol in the taste, Pitch black dark full body, creamy, smooth and velvety mouthfeel and a sipping drinkability.

Overall:
A very good toasty Imperial stout. The Wood is definitely young as it imparts a light plant like flavor with a dry oaky finish. A pretty good beer especially for this that do not like a lot of oak in their beer. Also, the alcohol level is well hidden and does not detract anything from the beer. Definitely worth the try for light smoke and oak lovers.

Arbre Medium Toast
================11921803_10102795661249410_2892987807993503645_n
Arbre Medium Toast by The Bruery is an 11.3% ABV Imperial Stout aged in medium toasted oak barrels.

Label:
RAISE A TOAST!
The Arbre Series explores the flavors contributed by various levels of oak toast in barrels from out friends at Kelvin Cooperage in Louisville, KY.

The Arbre Series is an exploration of barrel toast. This medium variation show cases a strong smokey depth and caramelization.

Aromas:
Dark fruit raisins, cherry hints, currants, anise, molasses, soy sauce, oak barrel, dark chocolate, milk chocolate, leather, rye bread, smokey hints, marshmallow smores, graham crackers, beachwood, brown sugar, toffee, bourbon hints, coconut, almond joy chocolate, pecan pie, chocolate brownie and plum sauce.

Flavors:
More caramel forward, soy sauce, and roasted marshmallow flavor than the original flavors, still some dark fruit cherry, raisins, molasses, anise, Milk chocolate, richer dark chocolate, oak notes, leather, tobacco, rye, beachwood, brown sugar, toffee, bourbon hints, coconut, almond joy chocolate, pecan pie, vanilla, marshmallow smores, whiskey notes, sweet potato pie, back wrapped dark chocolate and chocolate burnt brownie.

Aftertaste:
Semi dry finish with the BBQ, smoked notes, caramel, dark fruit, soy sauce, earthy notes, oak, rye bread and dark chocolate. No alcohol in the taste, Pitch black dark full body, creamy, smooth and velvety mouthfeel and a sipping drinkability.

Overall:
A very delicious beer that is better than the light one as the medium toast introduces some newer sweeter flavors of soy sauce, molasses and caramel but also enhances the original flavors of the light version of the beer. An enhanced smokey experience a slightly higher level of sweet and smokey levels make this one the next greater beer. The level of oak if a bit higher than before so if you do not like smoke or oaked beers, maybe this may not be for you.

Arbre Alligator Char
============11934512_10102795661758390_5375553866517146014_o
Arbre Alligator Char by The Bruery is an 11.3% ABV Imperial Stout aged in charred oak barrels.

Label:
RAISE A TOAST!
The Arbre Series explores the flavors contributed by various levels of oak toast in barrels from out friends at Kelvin Cooperage in Louisville, KY.

The Arbre Series is an exploration of barrel toast. This heaviest char variation reveals a heavy dose of smoke, vanilla and molasses.

Aromas:
Roasted coffee, smoke,leather, tobacco, rye, beachwood, brown sugar, toffee, bourbon hints, toasted coconut, dark chocolate, bakers chocolate, Abuelita chocolate brick, molasses, soy sauce, dark fruit cherry, raisin, blueberries, currants, port wine hints, hazelnut nectar, sweetened condensed milk, flan, clove spices, bananas, campfire wood, dark fruit cherry, raisins, blueberries, currants, raspberry, port wine hints, hazelnut nectar, almond joy chocolate and rocky road ice cream.

Flavors:
Smoked wood, campfire wood, rich dark chocolate, leather, tobacco, dark chocolate, bakers chocolate, Abuelita chocolate brick, vanilla, caramel, molasses anise, soy sauce, dark fruit cherry, raisins, blueberries, currants, raspberry, port wine hints, hazelnut nectar, almond joy chocolate, rocky road ice cream, leather, tobacco, rye, beachwood, brown sugar, toffee, bourbon hints, toasted coconut, smoking wood, brownie batter, butterscotch, sweetened condensed milk, flan, clove spices and bananas.

Aftertaste:
Syrupy burnt chocolate notes, smokey burnt oak, BBQ sauce hints, vanilla, dark fruits, earthy notes, hazelnut nectar, molasses and toffee lingers. No alcohol in the taste, Pitch black dark full body, creamy, smooth and velvety mouthfeel and a sipping drinkability.

Overall:
The exceptional charred oaked one releases even more complexity. I think of the 3, overall I really like this one. Trying each is almost like a build up beer. Something I don’t think I have ever done before nor have a taken a careful analysis of each to be able to do 3 at a time, side by side comparisons. While this one is the one I like the most, the more charred and oaked flavors may not be for everyone so if you love charred, oaked and smoked beers, this is a king type of beer. Cheers!

Anime Corner:
Raven from Teen Titans graces these three Bruery pairings with dark and hell delights. Azarath, Metrion, Zinthos! Are the words that grace each of the three beers, all unique and delicious. Since she was born half human, half demon it fits the beers in terms of her powers ranging from light being the more gentle human and sweet side as we can see in the beer pairing and the flavors but then you can see as she slowly goes higher in power, so does the fire. Burning with rage until reaching the third beer which is where she is in control of her full powers, we can see that at the Alligator charred stage, lots more burning more than oak flavors appear signifying that of a demon burning in hell or in this case, the beer. The aspect Arbre being that of trees fits with the night appearance of the beer as the Ravens linger in the night and so does Raven herself.

Rating: 4.5/5 Light Toast
Rating: 4.85/5 Medium Toast
Rating: 5.25/6 Alligator Char

Sources:
http://www.hdwallpapers.in/walls/raven-HD.jpg
http://img2.wikia.nocookie.net/__cb20141201001048/ssb/images/thumb/5/59/Teen_Titans_Raven_.jpg/1280px-Teen_Titans_Raven_.jpg
http://www.zerochan.net/1055635#full
http://images-cdn.moviepilot.com/images/c_fill,h_995,w_640/t_mp_quality/u0jjzwntnjn2nkdomdu5/4-og-s-who-could-kill-mkx-shinnok-in-mortal-kombat-506228.jpg

La Roja Du Kriek by Jolly Pumpkin

11247600_10102703716123180_3315299841569025793_n 11709980_10102703716961500_5883716446789125443_oRating: 5.25/5

La Roja Du Kriek by Jolly Pumpkin is a 7.5% ABV Sour Amber Ale brewed with Cherry Juice and aged and oak barrels.

Label:
3,100 gallons of 2013 La Roja meets 50 gallons of Michigan tart cherry juice to combine in a melliflous melody of sour and tart Joie De Vivre! Sip, Savor, Enjoy!

==Introduction==

The Tale of Puss N’ Boots returns! From the original La Roja and La Roja reserve which I tried oh so many years ago. The Puss has come back to bestow some honor to the original showing what it truly means to be the bearer of the cherry goodness. It is hard to explain exactly how this works but I am here to bring this forth and see how the cherry juice and aging the beer again can really change it into something more of a true honorable warrior. Cheers!

Aromas:
Rich pungent and funky cherries, lavender, hibiscus, rose petals, Sakura cake, cherry ice cream, dark fruit raisins, plums, figs, stone fruit peaches, apricots, apples, rye bread, dragon fruit, passion fruit, lychee fruit, Oak, vanilla, dulce de leche caramel, Black Cherry yogurt, Cherry cobbler, Tart Raspberries, chocolate hints, Cherry cordials, wine grapes, Strawberry Danish, Rye bread with cherry preserves, biscuit bread, and brown sugar.

Flavors:
Tart Cherries, Cherry ice cream, Lemon peel, lemon juice, Oak, vanilla, dulce de leche caramel, Black Cherry yogurt, Cherry cobbler, Tart Raspberries, chocolate hints, Cherry cordials, wine grapes, dark fruit raisins, plums, figs, stone fruit peaches, apricots, apples, rye bread, dragon fruit, passion fruit, lychee fruit, coriander spice, lavender, hibiscus flowers, rose petals, Sakura cake, oatmeal cookies, Irish cream, Strawberry Danish, Rye bread with cherry preserves, biscuit bread, raspberry Chambord liqueur and Belgian Candi Sugar.

Aftertaste:
Tart cherry yogurt, wine grapes, dark fruits, stone fruits, oak, cherry and strawberry cream, vanilla, caramel, lemon peel and hazelnut. No alcohol in the taste, smooth, creamy, Crimson Amber medium body and a moderate drinkability. It is meant to be enjoyed.

Overall:
Wow, the whole Kriek aspect with La Roja elevates the original so much. A sweet fruit and wine tart combines and explores into realms that I have not seen with this one before. Realms that the Flanders beers of Belgium and even Kriek fusions into that cherry balance that some do better than others. I love the sweeter aspects but some of the sour aspects too of those Belgian beers. This one has learned to gracefully land on it’s feet of balance and carry both the sweet and tart while still showcasing so much. A must try for sour beer, flanders and kriek lovers alike!

Anime Corner:
Pururun/Polly Esther from Samurai Pizza Cats was used in this pairing since I wanted to pair with the noble return of the great Red Cat Puss N’ Boots. Polly being Red and an awesome and powerful character at that was the best to show case this beer and pair. The best part was the awesome Japanese art that so closely fits with the style of the Jolly Pumpkin art that I was blown away and had to take a step back at such a melding masterpiece. You would think that there was nothing Japanese about the label as the Cat has a general coat in like a French setting and yet you look at the pink leaves floating around. Pink Leaves? More like Sakura leaves… Puss N Boots is an honorable french knight, musketeer and samurai. An honorable beer for an honorable cat just like Polly!

Sources:
https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/71/35/9b/71359bf3498a09dc5124e4f972f8672d.jpg
http://livedoor.4.blogimg.jp/jin115/imgs/1/6/161f18e2.jpg

Forgotten Tales of the Last Gypsy Blender Series 1 Volume 1 collaboration by Jolly Pumpkin and Celina Tio

11223939_10102702400120460_3510146687231718804_oRating: 4.85/5

Forgotten Tales of the Last Gypsy Blender Series 1 Volume 1 collaboration by Jolly Pumpkin and Celina Tio is a 5.7% ABV American Farmhouse Ale/ Saison brewed with mango and tamarind and a touch of rye aged in oak barrels.

Label:
A JP collaboration with Celina Tio, Chef/Owner of Julian and the Belfry in Kansas City, MO.

Chef Tio and I designed this beer together through a running series of texts while planning a beer dinner . We would hold at her place in Kansas city.

Wandering Conversations detailing layers of flavors flew fast and jumbled through the ethersphere

I think we will become great friends – I wrote. And We did. She came to Dexter ad we brewed this beer together.

Laurie Jokes and now insists Celina and I must be long lost brother and sister.

Enjoy This Beer!
Ron Jeffries
Founder and Chief Squeegee operator.

==Introduction==

A new beer from Jolly Pumpkin! Their sours are the best and what really got me into trying sours back when I first started trying different beers. Since JP focuses on sours and saisons, they have perfected their craft better than other breweries have at least from what I can tell. Now a days, there are other awesome dedicated sour/saison breweries but back then, this was and I still think is king. This beer I bring here is made with mangoes and tamarind. First time I had tried a beer with tamarind and I can already see how delicious this could potentially be with the even Tajin seasoning. Let’s check it out, cheers!

Aromas:
wild flower petals, lavender, citrus, mandarins, honey dew melon, Rich Mango, Tamarind hints, Stone fruit peaches, apricots, apples, peppercorn spice, sage, farmhouse hay, white wine grape hints, tart cherry notes, lemon peel, tart lemon zest, lemon, wild flower petals, lavender, citrus, mandarins, honey dew melon, honey, waffle cone and honeysuckle flowers.

Flavors:
Rich Mango, Tamarind hints, Stone fruit peaches, apricots, apples, peppercorn spice, sage, farmhouse hay, white wine grape hints, tart cherry notes, hints of cherry cobbler, lemon peel, tart lemon zest, honey, waffle cone, honeysuckle, wild flower petals, lavender, citrus, mandarins, honey dew melon, oak, biscuit bread, vanilla, wheat bread, lemon dipped tangerine and rye bread.

Aftertaste:
Stone fruit with mango, biscuit bread, oak, tart cherry notes, and white grapes finishing dry. No alcohol in the taste, Hazy Golden Body, Crisp, refreshing smooth and bubbly mouthfeel with a easy to moderate drinkability.

Overall:
I loved this one! A very good sour with lots of fruity notes especially those from the mango and tamarind which I have not seen in a sour before. They really managed to pull it off very well with this beer and is very enjoyable sour that is not only in the sour presence but also in the rich fruit presence. Definitely worth a try!

Anime Corner:
Ruby from RWBY was used in this pairing to be the cloaked girl in the pic under the moonlight. The colors, flavors and presentation overall is awesome! I figured it was the great pic to represent the tamarind and fruit presence of the sour. Ruby is just the girl to bring some of that fruity tartness here.

Sources:
http://wallpapershacker.com/wallpaper/boots_snow_cross_scythe_redheads_moon_hd-wallpaper-3031955.jpg

Beret by The Bruery Terreux

11709941_10102702368773280_5948373791367305199_o 11728797_10102702371722370_3964263262154013240_oRating: 5.35/6

Beret by The Bruery Terreux is a 9% ABV Imperial Sour Wit Ale brewed with spices and aged in oak barrels with raspberries.

COMMERCIAL DESCRIPTION
Beret is as artistic as those who wear its namesake cap. Our brewers developed a silky, full-bodied wheat ale which we began fermenting with our house yeast strain. To finish the fermentation, we added our collection of barnyard bacteria, intended to slowly sour the ale, bringing out a slight funk and refreshing piquancy. Finally, a small dose of pureed raspberries were added for just a hint of fruity tannins, putting the berry in Beret.

==Introduction==

This is the first time I bring forth a beer from the Bruery Terreux and it is a pleasure as well as this beer is new to their line of sours. In the past, few of the Bruery’s beers have had issues with souring where there should have been none. Due to this issue, the Bruery has decided to keep their brewing processes in two facilities. It’s bound to happen as they love to experiment and some of those experiments create beers that the world has probably never seen and are indeed world class. One facility for their regular non sour stuff and the other dedicated to sours. So here is the first brew I was able to get from the souring line. Let’s see how this one goes. Cheers!

Aromas:
Raspberries, Strawberries, cranberries, currants, Concorde grapes, Stone fruit peaches, tart apricots, white tart grape skins, orange peel, Floral notes like roses, coriander, peppercorn, banana hints, wheat bread, honey, toffee, vanilla, caramel, chardonnay, oak, marshmallows, waffle cone, brettanomyces, funky fruit, old mango, tart mandarins, lemon peel, lemon zest, biscuit bread and musty grapes.

Flavors:
Raspberries, Strawberries, cranberries, currants, Concorde grapes, Floral notes like roses, coriander, peppercorn, banana hints, Stone fruit peaches, tart apricots, white tart grape skins, orange peel, sweetened condensed milk, wheat bread, honey, toffee, vanilla, caramel, chardonnay, oak, marshmallows, waffle cone, brettanomyces, funky fruit, old mango, tart mandarins, lemon peel, lemon zest, biscuit bread, farmhouse hay hints, mushroom hints, rich sour apples, musty grapes and clove spice.

Aftertaste:
Wheat bread, stone fruits, raspberries, tart sour fruits, coriander spice leading into an oaky wine dryness. No alcohol in the taste, hazy gold clear to medium body, crisp, refreshing, mild creamy and smooth mouthfeel along with moderate drinkability.

Overall:
The abundance of tart, sour yet sweet with the really nice imperial wheat notes was a perfect combination going over that perfection mark as the beer is amplified into that full body sweetness with left over notes and not really dry. Love the strawberries in this and I really think doing more beers like this would allow people that typically don’t enjoy sours find them more appealing. This one is not overwhelmingly sour like others I have tried in the past. I would highly recommend this one.

Anime Corner:
Cammy White from the Street Fighter series was used in this pairing as I wanted to pair with the name of the beer and the label colors. Basically her wearing a Beret but also with the style beer closer to being in the European (Belgian Sour) style and her originally from Britain. It is kind of a stretch yes but it was a good excuse to use Cammy for the first time on a Bruery pairing.

Sources:
http://orig05.deviantart.net/75d8/f/2013/074/a/7/cammy_dcwj_new_by_dcwj-d5y3cgl.jpg
http://www.deviantart.com/art/Cammy-White-Lineart-by-Lchrno-342690411

Stochasticity Project HiFi+Lofi Mixtape by Stone Brewing

IMAG8169Rating: 4/5

Stochasticity Project HiFi+Lofi Mixtape by Stone Brewing is an 8.8% American Pale Ale with half aged in Oak Foudres.

Label:
STOCHASTICITY
STO-KAESTI-CITY
There is no happenstance or coincidence. Dumb luck is a fallacy and randomness a commonly accepted mistruth. Much of what seemingly falls into place and seems so natural is a result of Stochasticity, a concept embraced and exalted by this special and unpredictable series of beers, where exotic notions, ingredients and ideas coalesce at an interesting and often unexpected endpoint.

Fresh and Vintage tracks combine for the perfect liquid playlist.

Even before the science of beer was fully understood, those seeking to present the finest iteration of an ale had their wys of ensuring flavors and textures that were a cut above. In Britain, pub owners kept ‘stock ales’ on hand, beers that had been left to mature in vats or oak barrels. During this aging period, the beers would mellow and occasionally, develop a twinge of tartness. These publicans were unaware of the oxidative or microbilolicigal reasons for such changes, but found that blending some of their stock ales with fresh beers – which dented to be overly bitter and smoky – made ideal quaffs for their patrons. For this beer, we have taken a page from this tale of British pub life and blended a stock ale aged more than three months in oak foudres (large wooden fermentation vessels more commonly used by vintners) with a fresh version of that beer to create perfect harmony spanning end to end on the taste specctrum

Malt Varieties
Pale 2-Row, English Pale, Mild Ale, Briess & Amber

Hop Varieties
Apollo, UK Target & Williamette

Aged in
Oak Foudres

==Introduction==

Obtained this one at my local beer shop and this one is sold in many of the craft beer shops that sell Stone beers. This one will see national distribution. This beer used to be available on tap only and it was something Stone finally decided to release. Good for them as they have so many beers that never see the public tastes buds. So let’s take a sip of this and we rewind the tape as we go along. Cheers!

Aromas:
Rich butterscotch, caramel, biscuit bread, orange zest, waffle cone, toasted bread, black tea hints, earthy hops, grapefruit hints, pecan pie notes, brown sugar and hints of hazelnut.

Flavors:
Rich biscuit bread, caramel, rye bread, toffee, honey, grassy, piney, grassy, grapefruit, and earthy hops, butterscotch, citrus, orange, oak, waffle cone, toasted bread, black tea, almond butter, marzipan, hazelnut, pecan pie hints and marshmallow.

Aftertaste:
Lot of biscuit bread, citrus, caramel, pecan pie, hazelnut, oak, toffee, grapefruit and earthy notes. No alcohol in the taste, creamy, crisp and moderate mouthfeel, easy to moderate to drinkability and golden brown body.

Overall:
A very good beer almost reminding me of a pub ale with some added complexity. At a moderate drinkability, there is much that can be said as it is complex but palatte subtle enough to not overwhelm the palatte. Taking its time as coats the mouth with different types of complexities all at once. Something that is worth a try and might be a step up for light drinkers.

Anime Corner:
T-elos and Kos-Mos from Xenosaga were used in this pairing as I wanted to do a twin pairing but also match up the colors of the beer. The older and darker barrel-aged side which is represented by T-elos and the lighter alcohol and brand new Kos-mos. They pretty much compliment each other that they represent this beer as a unit of the blends. The mix. The colors also represent some of the flavors as well.

Sources:
http://hdwallpapersfactory.com/wallpaper/xenosaga_t-elos_kos-mos_desktop_1280x720_hd-wallpaper-744094.jpg

2014 Black Xantus by Humboldt Brewing

11080913_10102466688727980_8375289657211814382_n 11083643_10102466689281870_2841524481416130756_n 11053261_10102466690105220_3833739091349103959_oRating: 6/5

2014 Black Xantus ((SPECIAL BIRTHDAY REVIEW)) by Humboldt Brewing is an 11% ABV Imperial Stout brewed with Mexican Jobella Coffee Beans and aged in Bourbon and Wine oak barrels.

COMMERCIAL DESCRIPTION:
Black Xantus is a rare bird and the first new release from Nectar Ales in Years. It is the First ever “big-beer” to be released under the Nectar Ales line. Barrel aged for 6 months in combination of Bourbon, retired Firestone Union and wine barrels and Infused with fair-trade, organic coffee from local roaster Jobella. Rich bourbon and coffee aromas greet the senses. Complex chocolate and tobacco flavors fill the palate. This beer displays a full-bodied mouth-feel and an overall balanced presentation. It would be a perfect pairing to rich chocolate desserts.
Style: Imperial Java Stout IBUs: 50 Color: Black ABV: 11%

==Introduction==

As with my birthday from last year, I saved a newer bottle of Black Xantus jut for the occasion. Black Xantus is one of my favorite beers that got me into trying different craft beers. I would explain the story behind this beer but it is better explained in my last years birthday review: https://animebeers.com/2014/03/22/2010-black-xantus-special-birthday-re-review-by-humboldt-brewing-brewed-at-firestone-walker/ . So rather than break down into details, let us see what the 2014 version of one of my most favorite beers has turned out to be. Another birthday has come and hope for many years of anime beers! Cheers!

Aromas:
Rich dark fruits like dark cherries, raisins, plums, blackberries, Rich mocha coffee, dulce de leche caramel, coconut, vanilla, oak bourbon, flan, choco flan, dark chocolate, Kahlua, roasty notes, milkshake, port wine notes, hazelnut, marshmallow smores, fudge cake, rocky road ice cream, sweetened condensed milk on bananas, pecan pie, brown sugars, chocolate chip cookies and almond joy.

Flavors:
Rich Black Cherries, Black Cherry yogurt, dark fruits like raisins, plums, dates, blackberries, Dark chocolate, milk chocolate, chocolate milk shake,roasted coffee grains, mocha, espresso, chocolate abuelita hints, vanilla, oak, bourbon, dulce de leche caramel, port wine, coconut, marshmallows, graham crackers, roasted coffee grains, mocha, espresso, chocolate abuelita hints, vanilla, oak, bourbon, dulce de leche caramel, port wine, coconut, marshmallows, graham crackers, molasses. Sweetened condensed milk, Tres Leches cake, anise and mint chocolate chip ice cream.

Aftertaste:
Dark fruits linger along with roasted coffee mocha, vanilla, dulce de leche, flan, bourbon, Black cherry yogurt, dark chocolate and an earthy like finish. No alcohol in the taste even if 11% ABV. Smooth, creamy, syrupy and silky mouthfeel, pitch black Center of a Black Hole dark body and sipping drinkability.

Overall:
Should already be in the World Class category! Next to the best coffee beers in the world, this is outstanding and in many categories, simply dominating. This beer can age forever or drink fresh. It seems fresh you get more of the fresh cherry and chocolate forward while the older version is more dark fruit and oak goodness. With its new label, still the same Black Xantus that I fell for long long ago. These are the types of beers I always go back to, like Trois Pistoles and St. Bernardus Abt 12. Also, this is was beer that made start doing anime beer pairings so if the crazy idea didn’t come from taking pictures, I probably wouldn’t be writing about anime and beers in general. Well, hope we have many more pairings and many more years to go. Cheers everyone!

Anime Corner:
Asmodeus from Shinrabansho is the daughter of Asutarotto from that same card series. Though she may be a demon, she is of pure heart, but though evil women be, this can be said for even the utmost good. She was used in the first pairing of art work that made me try out different beers. Her main relation to Black Xantus has to do with her colors which pair with the Black Xantus background of the Blue Moon and the blue night sky. Xantus, being the humming bird, she rises to impart the great flavors of complex dark fruits, cherries, coffee, chocolate, bourbon and more into the beer. In this pairing she is kicking back and relaxing. That is pretty much what happens after 4 years of just laying down. She gazes into the soul of those who court her and while she may seem seductive and sweet in nature (Like a Rose which the Xantus drinks) she will bring forth a dangerous smite! But… only because she loves you… So basically, be careful with Asmodeus, take her in a sip at a time and don’t take her head on, cuz she may come back with vengeance. Cheers!

Sources:
http://asset-7.soup.io/asset/7112/6946_709f_960.png
http://pic02.nijie.info/nijie_picture/140_20121031015616.jpg

Jubel 2015 by Deschutes Brewery

10155172_10102457587736440_7352325304447475839_n 10956346_10102457588115680_8244589594332476436_oRating: 6/5

Jubel 2015 by Deschutes Brewery is a 10.4% ABV American Strong Winter Warmer with 50% aged in Pinot and Oregon oak barrels.

Label:
Affectionately referred to as “Super Jubel”, Jubel 2015 is an imperial take on our festive winter ale. Notes of toasted caramel, raisins, dates and figs are complemented by spicy and herbal hop aromas. Originally planned as a once-a-decade-ale; we just couldn’t wait another five years.

==Introduction==

This beer was supposed to be released in 2020 but it seems Deschutes wanted to release it earlier. The story behind this legend is that there was a thief who tried to steal a keg of Jubelale. When the thief realized he couldn’t carry it anymore, the beer froze over in the winter cold. When the owner found the keg, they saw half was frozen but the concentrated remains of what was left over was legend born by accident. As a result, they released this beer in 2010 but then would release it 5 years later and age it in pinot and Oregon oak barrels. This beer I was able to obtain at bringonthebeer.com I am uncertain if all stores that sell Deschutes will get this one as it is pretty damn limited. One thing is certain though, for this only out 5 years and the colors of the label speak magic and potions, I had to get this for sure.

Aromas:
Lots of dark fruit raisins, figs, prunes, dates, black cherry yogurt, hazelnut, pecan pie, rich fruit cake, gingerbread, wine grapes, stone fruit apricot hints, candy sugar, toffee, vanilla, dulce de lecher, butterscotch, brown sugar, sweetened condensed milk, cinnamon, pears, apples, port wine, pinot noir, nutmeg, blackberry preserves on rye bread, concorde grapes and red velvet cake hints.

Flavors:
Rich Fruit cake, vanilla, dulce de leche caramel, dark fruit raisins, figs, prunes, dates, black cherry yogurt, ginger bread, nutmeg, cinnamon, rock candy, candy sugar, figgy pudding, pinot wine, oak, port wine, dark chocolate, flan, toffee butterscotch, brandy, marshmallows, chocolate smores, molasses, anise, red velvet cake, stone fruit apricot, peaches, pecan pie, sangria, apples, blackberry preserves on toasted rye bread, sweetened condensed milk, pears, wine grapes, concorde grapes, toasted coconut hints and milk chocolate.

Aftertaste:
Fruit cake, dark fruits, hints of stone fruit peaches, caramel, vanilla, oak, pinot, port wine and chocolate. No alcohol in the taste, dark brown medium to full body, sipping drinkability and slightly syrupy mouthfeel.

Overall:
Damn exceptionally awesome winter warmer. The end of winter is pretty much near here and to end it perfectly as winter rolls trough St. Patrick’s, all green in color, this winter ends with a bang! On to the spring. The beer has so much damn complexity. I know it is not sour nor it is just a plain winter warmer but all the elements combined make for one ridiculously exceptional brew that is only out every 5 years. Do yourself a favor and if you can find this one for yourself, please do. You may not see nothing like it til 2020.

Anime Corner:
Rydia of the Mist from Final Fantasy IV was used in this pairin to pair with the colors of the label but also the magic of aging. In the story, Rydia was young but then was swallowed by a monster (Leviathan) only to come back a full fledged adult with very power magic and summoning spells. While the monster/esper world seems to go much faster than the normal world, she had spent many years in training while it was only a few days/weeks/months in the current timeline of the game. Her development from a young joyous girl (Jubelale) to a more powerful woman (Super Jubel aged in pinot and Oregon Oak barrels). The transformation into a much more complex beer/person is what really makes this one pair the best. Such Magic, Much Power, Wow Fancy.

Sources:
https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/…/160c9d8233c1cf271e0a…
http://e-shuushuu.net/images/2012-02-23-478344.jpeg

2011 Daliesque by Oceanside Ale Works

11030842_335864163276359_3040530104640583478_o
Rating: 5.25/5

2011 Daliesque by Oceanside Ale Works is a 6.2% ABV Lambic/Belgian Sour Blonde aged in oak barrels.

Label:
A Barrel Aged “Lambic Style” Sour Blonde. Daliesque: Conscientiously affecting the ostentatious, weird, or bizarre.

==Introduction==

I have been doing reviews for a while and have definitely loved doing what I do for a long time. I have also been fortunate enough to be able to find good friends who have helped me with trading beers like my friend Aaron Mendiola of beermetaldude.com so I can inform the public about great beer treasures.

As of recently, I had the pleasure of making the acquaintance of Mark Purciel, owner of Oceanside Ale Works in Oceanside California. After doing a review of the “Dude” Double IPA some time last year, Mark reached out to me asking if I would like to review Daliesque. In the back of my mind I was like, “Dude!!!!” Needless to say, I was awe struck and very excited. This is actually the first time I have been asked personally by a brewery, especially the owner, to try and review some beers. Usually, I try different beers and beers I have heard about. Some breweries like my work but this was an awesome opportunity to bring something for the public to take note. Daliesque has been rated the best lambic in the world (ratebeer.com) and also one of the best brews of 2014 according to (DraftMag.com).

I have been doing this since 2011, and well, for being an awesome request, I humbly give you my review on the 2011 Daliesque. Cheers!

Aromas:
Tart lemon peel, citrus, grapefruit peels, white wine grapes, musty oak, vanilla, farmhouse hay, peppercorn hints, field of flowers like lavender, hibiscus hints, tropical hints like passion fruit, dragon fruit, strawberries, white raisins, stone fruit apricots, peach notes, phenolic notes and sour green apples.

Flavors:
Citrus, orange peel, tart grapefruit, Stone fruit like peaches, apricots, mango hints, white wine grapes, farmhouse hints, lemon peel, lemon candy, tart peach, pineapple, lychee fruit, sour green apples, dragon fruit hints, passion fruit, vanilla, oak, biscuit bread, white raisins, ripened strawberries, tart raspberries, sugar cane hints, Belgian phenolic notes, banana, clove spice hints, coriander hints, floral notes like lavender and hibiscus.

Aftertaste:
Leaving off with some stone fruit note and very mild tropical hints, oak, vanilla, sour white grapes, oak and biscuit bread before going into a dry finish. No alcohol in the taste, smooth mouthfeel, easy to moderate drinkability. and light to hazy golden body. The hardly any carbonation but with these styles, its welcome.

Overall:
An exceptional lambic. While The base beer is supposed to be sour and the oak barrel lends a hand with the funkiness, the overall lambic through and through is actually more of a tart and sweet than it is sour giving way to some of the fruity notes but still maintaining composure as a sour lambic. Age has definitely done wonders to this one. When it comes to how I like my sours, I generally look past the sour aspect to find complexities during cold and warm temperatures. I think what makes this one an exceptional lambic has to do with balance of how you get the best of both worlds (Sweet/Sour) without the sourness getting the best of the lambic. That and the time aging has definitely had a great effect on it. As I have mentioned in my rating system, when I find something that goes beyond the base beer (typically aging can do this), I feel these beers deserve that extra credit push as not many perfect base beers can show their true potential unless it is take to a new level. In this case, it definitely exceeds it a bit. I highly recommend this one if you can find it and if you like tart and sweet beers.

I extend my thanks to Mark Purciel at Oceanside Ale Works for the opportunity of letting me try this awesome lambic, Cheers! Check out this interview with Mark on some of the origins of the Dude IPA and Oceanside Ale Works: http://www.thehopshighway.com/video/

Anime Corner:
Duality by tincek-marincek was used in this pairing as I wanted to find something that worked with the “Daliesque” artwork as made famous by Salvador Dali. While searching for many anime related artworks that would fit the ostentatious, weird, or bizarre. I found this artwork. This artwork represents the struggle of the beer as it tries to balance itself out. The beer itself is pretty balance giving great flavors of tart, sour and sweet. The lighter side of the duality represents the blonde and sweet flavor base of the lambic while the dark one represents the complexities brought on by the sour notes and the oak. As I mentioned before there is an aspect of this lambic that consist of a struggle for balance but eventually finding the middle ground (especially when the lambic warms up). Synonymous with human nature, everyone has a good and a bad side and we have to work together to balance ourselves out.

Sources:
http://tincek-marincek.deviantart.com/art/D-U-A-L-I-T-Y-312951498

Friek by Odell brewing

10834928_10102417170572760_455002267704386088_oRating: 4.85/5

Friek by Odell brewing is a 6.9% ABV American Wild Ale brewed with cherries and raspberries aged in oak barrels.

Label:
FRIEK is an evolution, an imaginative amalgamation invented by our brewers. Multiple KRIEK Lambic style ales are fermented with WILD yeast and TART cherries and then moved into OAK BARRELS to age and sour taking on the CHERRY flavors. As the beer matures, FRAMBOISES (raspberries) from Schroyer Family Farms in Fort Collins are handpicked and readied for the beer. The fresh RASPBERRIES are added immediately prior to the final blending. The sweet and tart flavors MINGLE on the tongue with a sparkling dry finish.

==Introduction==

A special thanks to my friend Aaron Mendiola of www.beermetaldude.com for sending me this one. We do not see much of Odell brewing here on the west coast so to see this one for a review here on the site is an awesome opportunity. Odell makes some really delicious beers such as the Lugene, Fifty niner or tree shaker. I can definitely feel confident that this one was going to be great. Especially with raspberries and cherries. Yes Please!

Aromas:
Dark cherries, raspberries, vanilla, oak, wine grapes, dark fruit raisins, plums, prunes, currants, caramel, brown sugar, musty notes, rose petals, lavender, Jamaica hibiscus flower drink, sweetened condensed milk notes, molasses, chocolate notes, apricots, apples and cinnamon hints.

Flavors:
Tart Dark cherries, tart raspberries, vanilla, oak, wine grapes, dark fruit plums, prunes, currants, jamaica/hibiscus flower drink, concord grapes, cranberries, funky notes, red wine grapes, sangria, apples, apricots, brown sugar, caramel, musty notes, rose petals, lavender, molasses, chocolate hints, chardonnay, champagne and sweetened condensed milk hints.

Aftertaste:
Finishes sour with tart fruits of cherry, raspberries, dark fruit, wine grapes, oak, earthy notes, vanilla and caramel. No alcohol in the taste, sipping drinkability, clear crimson red body, silky and moderate mouthfeel.

Overall:
This one turned out to be a good tart and sour yet very sweet beer. Reminds me of tart of darkness with its sweet and sour notes fighting each other for balance but ultimately being a sweet tart. I would definitely like a sweeter than tart and sour but this one really does deliver not only the sweeter part but also complexity. The beer itself is recommendable if you are able to get Odell in your area and especially if you like tart and sour beers.

Anime Corner:
Ibara sisters and their mother Teresa Rose were used in this pairing to go with the colors or the label, the cherries, the raspberries and the sour tart aspect of the beer. In the game, Ibara, the sisters are actually bosses where their mother Teresa is the last boss. They may looks really sweet but they are sour evil. Sometimes, it’s not bad to dabble in the sour and evil side of beers as well.

Sources:
http://www.pelaajalehti.com/wordpress/wp-content/2009/04/ibaraiso.jpg

Colour Five by Jester King

1529805_10102385388928430_4759297927245932117_oRating: 5.25/5

Colour Five by Jester King is a 7.1% ABV World Class American Wild Ale aged in oak barrels and refermented with blueberries.

Label:
Texas blueberries were added to mature, barrel-aged sour beer and refermented to dryness. Unfiltered, unpasteurized, and 100% bottle-conditioned.

==Introduction==

Jester King in Texas is like the Bruery of Texas when it comes to pushing the limitations of experimentation in making some of the best beers in the country. While it is difficult to get beers like this one here in California, especially the more rare and exclusive hard to get ones, I am glad I have great friend like Aaron Mendiola at www.beermetaldude.com who has been hooking me up with some great brews for the last year and a half or so. The story about this one has to do with Jester King’s attempt at making a blueberry beer in 2013 but had difficulty as the batches had failed their quality control. It wasn’t until 2014 when they were finally able to able to make the blend they wanted and perfect it so that it wasn’t so sour but mainly fruity and tart. With that said, Let’s check this one out and see how it goes. Cheers!

Aromas:
Rich Blueberries, tart raspberries, wine grapes, dark fruit raisins, currants, plums, strawberries, lemon peel, biscuit bread, brown sugar, rye, rose petals, blueberry yogurt, rose petals, hibiscus flowers, farmhouse hay, banana hints, musty funk and peppercorn.

Flavors:
Rich Blueberries, Raspberries, tart cherry skins, wine grapes, strawberries, dark fruit currants, raisin, plum skins, oak, vanilla, lemon peel, biscuit bread, rye, graham cracker hints, sweetened condensed milk hints, flowers, peppercorn, hibiscus, rose petals, blueberry yogurt, cheesecake hints, farmhouse hay, banana notes, musty funk, mushroom hints, sea salt and brown sugar.

Aftertaste:
Finishes mildly dry with some nice tart dark fruits, oak, sweet vanilla, flowers and mild funky notes
No alcohol in the taste, magenta light to medium body, creamy and crisp mouthfeel and moderate drinkability.

Overall:
A very awesome beer they got here. This one was more tart than sour. There was a lot of elements of funkiness along with some rich fruity flavors to balance out the tartness. While I love sweeter beers, this one had a balanced that worked really well. Unless you don’t like sours or even tart beers, this may not be for you but I can definitely say I enjoyed this one a lot and recommend it!

Anime Corner:
Gu Jian Qi Tan by hiliuyun was used in this pairing since I wanted something that resembled the geometric shape that almost looks like a pentagram in the label. Since the beer took specific calculations and a lot of trial and error to get it just the way they wanted, it was fitting that the art pairing fit. The character here on top of the pentagram represents the aging process as the blue berry beer lays waiting to become perfect.

Sources:
http://www.deviantart.com/art/gu-jian-qi-tan-2-196966428

Señor Viejo by Twisted X brewing

10734133_10102186513221940_1242498781892462480_nRating: 4.85/5

Señor Viejo by Twisted X brewing is an 8.8% ABV Schwarzbier/Imperial Black Lager Aged in Tequila Oak Barrels

Description:
This Schwarzbier has been “imperialized” (alcohol content increased) and then left to age in tequila barrels (used Jack Daniels barrels which are then used by Republic Tequila to age there tequila to Repasado or Anejo styles). Aging this unique beer in tequila barrels adds subtle flavors of vanilla and oak while the tequila adds a mild citrus/agave sweetness. At 8.2% alcohol by volume Senor Viejo is our strongest, most seasoned beer. About the name: Senor Viejo meaning “very old man” or “the old one”. Schwarzbier, or “black beer”, is a German dark lager beer. It has an opaque, black color and a full, chocolaty or coffee flavor. Although they share some similar flavors they are milder tasting and less bitter than British stouts or porters, owing to the use of lager rather than ale yeast and no roasted barley.

About the name:
Señor Viejo meaning “very old man” or “the old one” or “Veteran”. Schwarzbier, or “black beer”, is a German dark lager beer. It has an opaque, black color and a full, chocolaty or coffee flavor. Although they share some similar flavors they are milder tasting and less bitter than British stouts or porters, owing to the use of Mexican lager rather than ale yeast and no roasted barley.
___

Now this is very interesting… A Tequila Oak aged Black Lager. First of all, Tequila barrel aged beers are far few in between and to be able to have a lager one, that is is amazing. Thanks to my friend Aaron Mendiola at www.beermetaldude.com for hooking me up with this little bit of Texas gold. Now we can have one here on the site to share with the world. Many of the Tequila barrel aged beers have been, well, exceeding my expectations or just great. With this, I will see how it stands in comparison, but then again, this one seem more of the kind I would like to drink several of. We shall see, for now, Salud!

Aromas:
Roasted notes, mild earthy notes, dark chocolate, anise, molasses, oak hints, tequila, agave, dark fruit hints like raisins, figs and cherries, caramel, vanilla, smokey hints, brown sugar, rye bread, oatmeal cookies and mild tobacco.

Flavors:
Dark chocolate, spiced chocolate, milk chocolate, oak, tequila, mezcal, agave, vanilla, caramel, roasted notes, smokey notes, earthy notes, citrus, oatmeal cookies, leather, tobacco, molasses, rye bread, anise, walnuts, pecan pie, herbs, earthy hops, brown sugar, dark fruit raisins, figs and cherries.

Aftertaste:
Leaving some pecan pie, roasted notes, earthy dark chocolate, oak, tequila hints, agave and dark fruit hints. No alcohol in the taste. Brown full body, creamy and smooth mouthfeel, medium to sipping drinkability.

Overall:
Very delicious. This beer is pretty close to a Baltic Porter in the use of lager yeast. The complexities are there from Baltic Porters but the addition of Tequila aging adds some very special flavors to it and also the slight smokey flavors keeps this one interesting as well reminding you of the oak. There aren’t many lagers that make it high in the ratings since they are lagers and mainly low in alcohol but this beer is special just like some of the awesome lagers I have had in the past. The much stronger ABV ones ofcourse. Seek this one out!

Anime Corner:
Skeleton Angel original character was used in this pairing to signify mortality, Mexican tradition of dia de los muertos and to pair with the label. It goes to show, like Señor Viejo, everyone grows old and will eventually meet their own demise but not before enjoying your life and living for what it is worth. The golden hair represents the oak and tequila as well as the label. Great stuff.

Sources:
http://hqwallbase.com/images/big/skeleton_angel-1509823.jpg

Das Überkind by Jester King brewing

553252_10102186508890620_148719141884687311_nRating: 5/5

Das Überkind by Jester King brewing is a 6% ABV Organic Vieille Saison/Farmhouse ale aged in oak barrels with wild yeast.

Label:
There are moments in our lives that we simply cannot explain; times when we transcend our natural limitations and stand face to face with the boundlessness of the universe, where we see a first glimpse of out own unbounded potential, and suddenly know how to defeat a race of evil intergalactic, time-traveling cyborgs with a single roll of duct tape.

Jester King is an authentic farmhouse brewery in the beautiful Texas Hill Country, on the outskirts of Austin. We brew what we like, drink what we want and offer the rest to those who share our tastes.

ALC/VOL 6.0% FG 1,000 pH3.3

Ingredients Hill County Well Water, Malted Barley, Malted Wheat, Hops, Farmhouse Yeast, Wild Yeast from the Texas Hill Country, Native Souring Bacteria.

CONTAINS WHEAT
Suitable for Vegetarians and Vegans

Notes: Das Überkind, out “old” Saison, is created by blending some of our favorite oak barrels of mature beer fermented with naturally occurring wild yeast and bacteria harvested from the Texas Hill Country. Unfiltered, unpasteurized, and 100% bottle conditioned.
___

Das Überkind or “The Ultimate/Super Kid” has finally come to the site thanks to my good friend Aaron Mendiola of www.beermetaldude.com. Jester King is on of Texas best when it comes to Saisons and Wild Ales. Some of their stuff is typically hard to obtain especially around here in California. I am thankful for having a great connection to these special beers so I can present them to you in hopes that you try to seek these magic beers for yourself. The Super Kid is a variant of the Wonder Kid but it is much stronger. So let’s explore this one shall we?

Aromas:
Funky oak, farmhouse hay, vanilla, green apples, caramel, pecan pie hints, peach cobbler, musty oak notes, brettanomyces funk, hints of mango, hints of papaya, strawberry hints, pineapple hints, peppercorn, sourdough and biscuit bread.

Flavors:
Rich funky oak, green apples, strawberries, stone fruit peaches, plums, apricots, honey, caramel, biscuit bread, white grapes, white wine hints, oranges, lemon peel, pecan pie hints, vanilla, farmhouse hay, mango, papaya, brettanomyces funk, sourdough bread, flowers, coriander spice, peppercorn, grapefruit, toffee hints, leather, and champagne.

Aftertaste:
Funky oak, stone fruit, floral spices, sour dough bread, lemon peel, caramel, vanilla and dry apple hints remain. No alcohol in the flavor, smooth drinkability, easy to drink, hazy medium body, crisp and refreshing.

Overall:
What a perfect Saison. So much flora and bready notes on this one. The sour notes are there but what I think is really ramped up from the original is the complex fruit flavors. It definitely is more richer than the original. Maybe one day they will become more available here in California but for now I would highly request you seek this one especially if you like sours and floral saisons. Thanks Aaron for getting me this one as I really wanted to try and was well worth the wait.

Anime Corner:
Jessica Drew/Spider-woman from Marvel Mangaverse was used in this pairing for the many obvious reason going from the goggles and special helmet of the Super Kid which resembles that of Spider-woman. She also fits well with the colors of the label, the beer and even some of the flavors like the citrus and strawberries. The aspect of Spider-woman being a Super Hero complements the Super Kid.

Sources:
http://jamiefayx.deviantart.com/art/m-m-s-w-colored-by-bakanekonei-42711202

No. 19 Barrel Aged Series Rufus Corvus by Avery brewing

10433107_10102152760827010_5207325096843776489_nRating: 5.45/5

No. 19 Barrel Aged Series Rufus Corvus by Avery brewing is a 6.83% ABV World Class American Wild Ale with 65% aged in Cabernet Savignon barrels, 9% Ale aged in chardonnay barrels and 6% Zinfandel barrels.

Label:
The Sour Trinity
Pediococcus
Brettanomyces
Lactobasillicus

No. 19 An artful and massively acidic blend of two major projects and further enhanced with several orphan barrels from the corners of our barrel aging cellar. All Ale involved was barrel aged for a minimum of 8 months and a maximum of 24 months.

Pucker up, buttercup!

Bottled: April 7 2014
Production: 858 Cases
___

Avery Barrel Aged series definitely sells out quick here in California to the point that sometimes I miss out on such great beers. Aaron from www.beermetaldude.com introduced me to this beer. A sour using the vast variety of souring bacteria used in sour beers but then taken to another level using a variety of oak wine barrels. This was truly an honor just like that of the 5 monks. I cannot wait to try this monster and see how it goes…. wish me luck!

Aromas:
Wine grapes, port wine, funky oak, earthy notes, vinegar notes, wine and cheese party, dark fruits like plum, raisins, currants, berry skins, caramel, vanilla, lemon peel, lime, salt, dark cherry, plum sauce, port wine, chardonay, raspberries, rye bread, brown sugar hints, pecan hints and hazelnut.

Flavors:
Dark fruit raisins, plum, wine grapes, salt, lemon, lime peel, dark cherries, plum sauce, Concorde grapes, vanilla, port wine, chardonay, wine grapes, caramel, rye bread, stone fruit peach, pear, apples, funky, earthy notes, good cheese and wine, raspberry vinaigrette, hazelnut, smoked wood, leather, tobacco, berry yogurt, raw berry seeds, mild cheesecake notes in the back, brown sugar, pecan pie dryness, and very mild flan.

Aftertaste:
Ridiculously dry leaving only some sour notes, caramel, dark fruit skins and earthy funk. No alcohol in the taste, a puckeringly mouth feel, sipping beer, pitch brown bordering the black and purple abyss of a body.

Overall:
Very Rich and complex sour. Possibly the ultimate complex and balanced sour. Only the truest sours can be appreciated by palates with an achieved open level of taste. This is sour but it is rich beyond comprehension. Sours are only a handful of my favorites but this takes it a certain level I have not experienced before. It is like the Cardinal Poles of tasting. You have your extreme Smokey, Extreme Sweet, Extreme Bitter and Extreme sour but at the same times, the poles blend and while one pole is the most dominant, in this case the Sour pole, the other sides are so balanced that that they make the sourness be very complex. I would highly recommend this one if you love sours, especially puckering and sweet complex ones.

Anime Corner:
Battleship-Symbiotic Hime and Wo-class from Kantai Collection were used in this pairing to represent the dark void of the sours and the creatures you typically don’t see. The 2 characters and the monster in the background represent the 3 bacteria: Lactobasiliccus,Pediococcus and Brettanomyces. The colors also represent some aspects of the dark fruit and complex flavors as well. While Doing this review, I could only think of Caius Ballad’s theme (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b8vXYBEvSow) from Final Fantasy XIII-2 and Lightning Returns. As the characters stumble deeper and deeper into the chaos and mainly this character being the embodiment of Chaos, it is synonymous with exploring deeper and deeper into the sour world of super complex sour beers like this one presents.

Sources:
http://www.wallpaperup.com/uploads/wallpapers/2013/12/02/182227/d837c3da88727616dae561894aed45ee.jpg

(Brewerianimelogs On The Road) Dr Strange Matter collaboration by Bottle Logic and Iron Fist brewing

947246_10102087955168070_2905402736460972123_nRating: 4.8/5

Dr Strange Matter collaboration by Bottle Logic and Iron Fist brewing is a 9.6% ABV Farmhouse Ale Aged in Chardonnay Barrels.

Commercial Description:
Brewed using authentic farmhouse yeast and pink peppercorns with Wakatu and Waimea hops and a dash of locally sourced caramelized honey. Dr. Strange Matter has been aged in Chardonnay barrels and is a perfect beer for a hot summer day.
___

This past weekend I visited many places in San Diego and many breweries since I had always wanted to visit the Craft Beer Capital and essentially it was like a dream come true. Of the many places I visited, Plan 9 Alehouse, which was on my list as a brewery didn’t necessarily make their own beer but had many great selections. Of the ones I tried on Friday, this one stuck out like a sore thumb as awesome. So because I really liked it, I took a pairing picture to go with it and from my notes, I bring you forth a review of Brewerianimelogs on the Road.

Aromas:
Biscuit, peppercorns, honey, musty oak, citrus, apples, chardonnay, wine grapes, farmhouse hay, white grapes, sage spice, piney, grassy, floral and some grapefruit hoppy hints, green apples, banana notes and stone fruit peaches.

Flavors:
Farmhouse hay, peppercorns, wine grapes, sage spice, honey, bananas, musty oak, chardonnay, funky wine notes, lemon zest, citrus, grapefruit, grassy and piney hops, stone fruit peaches, apricots, hints of plum, herbs, hibiscus flowers, pecan pie notes, vanilla and caramel.

Aftertaste:
Biscuit, wine grapes, stone fruit, peppercorns, funky notes, citrus and earthy hop bitterness. No alcohol in the taste, a sipping beer yet smooth mouth feel with a hazy full body.

Overall:
This one was very good. I see this one was actually bottled so I may try to look for a bottle of this one. The fact that it is aged in a chardonnay barrel imparts some very interesting flavors into the already delicious saison. It was quite the awesome beer and would try to seek this one out again if I had the chance.

Anime Corner:
Nurse Washu Hakubi from Tenchi Muyo was chosen in this pairing since I wanted something to do with the whole Doctor and the Nurse. Essentially, Washuu is seriously strange but a genius and pairs perfect with the doctor to perform some serious flavor surgery on those taste buds

Sources:
http://www.oocities.org/ryoko_masaki_16/wash2.jpg

Tart of Darkness Cherries & Vanilla by The Bruery

10371399_10102061178089550_5544023490960896402_n 10688381_10102061178768190_817222438991082648_oRating: 5/5

Tart of Darkness Cherries & Vanilla by The Bruery is a 7.1% ABV American Wild Stout aged in Oak Barrels with Cherries and Vanilla Beans.

Label:
SAUERSTAUT

With a roasty aroma and a tart finish, this sour black ale is a contortion of style and flavor, creating an unexpected delight.

Tart of Darkness with Cherries & Vanilla is best enjoyed fresh for bold spice and fruit character, but my pleasantly if cellared properly.
___

Released to the Preservation and Reserve Societies this fall. This beer is a variant to the publicly sold Tart of Darkness. I will be honest, while the tart of darkness is a very good sour, it does not compare to my favorite sour stout Madrugada Obscura by Jolly Pumpkin. The fact that they added the cherries and vanilla to this may actually make some kind of difference. I can only hope that this is the case. Let us see how this warrior fairs. Draw your puckeringly sour sword and get ready to take action!

Aromas:
Dark Cherry yogurt, Vanilla ice cream, caramel,Lavender, cotton candy, strawberry cheesecake, lemon peel, citrus, dark chocolate hints, blueberry skins, earthy notes, Cherry vanilla Dr. Pepper hints, molasses, anise, licorice, lemon peel, sour funky notes, citrus, port wine hints, blue berry muffin and brown sugar.

Flavors:
Blueberries, Vanilla cream, coconut, caramel, tart wine grapes, chocolate, lavender, dark cherry yogurt, strawberry cheese cake, brown sugar, blueberry muffin, lemon peel, Cherry Vanilla Dr. Pepper hints, dark fruits like prunes raisins, concord grape skins, port wine hints, oak, earthy notes and musty sour funky notes.

Aftertaste:
Tart wine grapes, oak, dark cherry yogurt hints, vanilla, coconut hints, and earthy notes finishing all fast and dry. No alcohol in the taste, a sipping beer, medium to full mouthfeel and with a murky amber brown full body.

Overall:
Way better than the original. I have no idea how the addition of the cherries and vanilla seem to suppress the overall ‘sour’ aspect of this beer making it more of a sweet tart. The original did not do as well as my favorite, Madrugada Obscura but tasting more sour than a balance of stout chocolate roastiness with sour aspects. This beer however, redeemed the original big time. While the chocolate aspect is there but hinted, the sweetness of cherry and vanilla change the aspect of the beer not just to make it fruity tart but also dessert like yet still puckeringly sour. Definitely recommended. So does it win against Madrugada Obscura? I guess it really depends on my mood. Chocolate coffee sour or Cherry Vanilla sour.

Anime Corner:
Saber Alter/Dark Saber from Fate/Stay Night/Hollow Ataraxia was used in this pairing since I used Jean from Claymore. Basically both represent the “Dark Knight” In the Tart of Darkness. You may not tell from the label, but a sword pierces through the cherry and in the original, there is a sword involved. The aspect of the warrior of darkness and the fact that I have used Saber in many Dark chocolate and cherry flavored beers just pushes my conviction that much further. The Dark Arts have to do with blasphemy against the church but the strange part, as holy as some organizations are, some hold deep dark secrets that the public never knows about. Tart of Darkness with Cherries and Vanilla brings that aspect of sour evil but yet sweet and forgiving aspects that are pretty damn Holy if you ask me. Think of it as the sweetness delivering the darkness of the beer from evil Either way, great beer and great pairing I think.

Sources:
https://omisyth.files.wordpress.com/2008/07/1217501555092.jpg
http://gallery.minitokyo.net/view/500829

Oude Tart with Cherries by The Bruery

10624987_10102019958588760_5905669823586389489_n 10612867_10102019957910120_4886651947550547811_nRating: 5/5

Oude Tart with Cherries by The Bruery is an 8.4% ABV World Class Flanders/Flemish Red Ale aged in oak barrels with Cherries.

Label:
Cherry, OH!

Pleasantly sour with hints of leather, dark fruit, and toasty oak from extended aging in oak barrels along with plump cherries.

Oude Tart with Cherries is best enjoyed fresh for the full fruit flavor, but may develop pleasantly over time.
___

Obtained this one as part of the Reserve Society membership. This variant of the Oude Tart adds cherries. I have done a review of the previous Oude Tart which I found very good. Now with the cherries, this may actually bring something awesome to the table. This beer is typical of the Flanders Red style which sometimes end up being like a sour beer but other times is mainly a tart fruit cherry beer. So without further a do, on with the review, cheers!

Aromas:
Caramel, rye bread, dark cherries, dark fruit raisins, plums, currants, raspberries, oak mustiness, lemon, leather, brown sugar, vanilla, funky wine grapes, tart cherry juice, sour apples, cherry pie, pecan pie hints, cinnamon, oak, hazelnut and cherry cheesecake notes.

Flavors:
Wine grapes, oak, dark cherry yogurt, dark cherries, dark fruit raisins, plums, brown sugar, oak, lemon peel, leather, tobacco, rye bread, hints of coconut, caramel, vanilla, toffee, red wine, cherry cobbler, pecan, cherry preserves on biscuit bread, vanilla cream hints, hints or tropical fruits like old mango, pineapple hints, cherry and strawberry cheesecake.

Aftertaste:
Ending with a dark cherry yogurt, caramel and vanilla sweetness with left over wine like acidity into like a cinnamon and fruity dry taste. No alcohol in the taste, medium to sipping drinkability, medium body and medium mouthfeel.

Overall:
Amazing! Way better than the original as it seems like the cherry sweetness cuts down the sour aspect and makes this one more tart and sweet. I am not sure how the cherry adds more complexity but it really does. The flavors seems to meld really nice creating some nice complexities. As it warms up, the sweeter aspects of the beer tend to come out and play on the palate. I wish they released variants out to the public as these beers would give more selections to the originals. Either way, really awesome beer.

Anime Corner:
Yang Xiao Long and her sister Ruby Rose from RWBY were used in this pairing since I used Yang in the last pairing. Because of the fact that they are sisters, putting them together is like adding the cherries to Oude Tart. Ruby Rose, ofcourse is the cherry here. They are an awesome team. I wanted to show how the beer tends to be a splash of fruity flavors as you can see Ruby jumping in to add that layer of complexity.

Sources:
http://img2.wikia.nocookie.net/__cb20140429113205/rwby/images/4/47/Blake_belladonna_clouds_moon_pool_ruby_rose_rwby_signed_sky_swimsuit_weiss_schnee_yang_xiao_long.jpg
http://simg2.gelbooru.com/images/1797/0cb2c61ff14aaa9e73831fe2daceb3b3.jpeg?2008301

 
 

 

Coffee Noir by Prairie Artisan Ales

 

1920381_10101996972997070_4727931727983219897_nRating: 5.5/5

Coffee Noir by Prairie Artisan Ales is a 11.5% ABV Imperial Stout aged in oak whiskey barrels with Coffee beans.Label:
Made by people who truly care from Oklahoma with love.
___

The second beer, in the Prairie Noir series I try. The previous one was the Vanilla Noir. This beer was a donation from Aaron Mendiola of www.beermetaldude.com. The previous beer was definitely something way different than what I have had before. Which makes me more curious to try this one and see where this one goes to and see how it compares to the Vanilla one. I will try and break it down as best I can as that beer was awesome, let us see what this one is all about. Cheers!

Aromas:
Rich dark coffee, Dark chocolate, dark fruit raisins, campfire smoke, mocha, espresso, whiskey, marshmallow smores, sour wine grape hints, strong oak, pecan pie, vanilla, caramel, toffee, flan hints, brown sugar, molasses, oatmeal cookies, BBQ glazed ham, leather and tobacco.

Flavors:
Campfire smoke, dark coffee, mocha, espresso beans, dark chocolate, vanilla, caramel, rich oak, BBQ hone glazed ham, ashes, sour wine grape hints, marshmallow hints, graham cracker smores, dark fruit raisins, rye bread, tobacco, leather, molasses, licorice, anise, brown sugar, flan, caramel, pecan pie, roasted coffee grain hints, oatmeal cookies.

Aftertaste:
Rich oak, roasted coffee, dark chocolate, earthy notes, vanilla, whiskey and campfire smoke. No alcohol in the taste. Sipping yet some what drinkability, pitch black appearance, full mouth feel almost syrupy.

Overall:
Like the Vanilla Noir smokey and oaky with hints of sourness that are mainly covered by the oak and coffee. Close to the Madrugada Obscura that I really like. The coffee really works well with the smokey oak and whiskey keeping everything in check in this one. More in check than the vanilla one. The oak used in this or the brewing process makes this unique. The oak flavors are unique from other oak or spirit aged beers. We don’t get these beers here in California so this one is definitely an honor.

Anime Corner:
Devil girl character from the Chinese Scratch series (從 零 開始) was used in this pairing because like the Vanilla one, it was damn evil as hell with the label and the beer itself. This one is just as evil but the coffee has a more ‘adult theme’ to it. Not to say that beer is for kids but coffee seems to be the beverage more adults drink and so with the colors of the label and the coffee aspect as well as evil, I chose this awesome and sexy devil girl for the pairing. She covers the colors of the label, the evil intention, seduction, strength and flavor complexity similar to the previous beer.

Sources:
http://www.theanimegallery.com/data/thumbs/790px/0165/tAG_165268.jpg

 

 
 
 

 

Vanilla Noir by Prairie Artisan Ales

10553553_10101994843644310_3716524382725484294_nRating: 5.45/5

Vanilla Noir by Prairie Artisan Ales is a 11.5% ABV Imperial Stout aged in oak whiskey barrels with vanilla beans.

Label:
Made by people who truly care from Oklahoma with love.
___

This is the first ever, Prairie beer I have ever had. To top off the greatness too, my friend Aaron from www.beermetaldude.com, was kind enough to donate for us a nice batch of their special beer for the site. Oak aged Whiskey with Vanilla beans will be the first I try and the Noir will be the next in line for sure. For now, let us check this one out!

Aromas:
Dark chocolate, campfire smoke, whiskey, marshmallow smores, sour wine grapes, strong oak, pecan pie, dark fruit raisins, vanilla, caramel, toffee, flan hints, brown sugar, BBQ glazed ham, leather, tobacco and oatmeal cookies.

Flavors:
Campfire smoke, dark chocolate, vanilla, rich oak, sour wine grape hints, marshmallow, graham cracker smores, dark fruit raisins, rye bread, tobacco, leather, brown sugar, BBQ hone glazed ham, flan, caramel, pecan pie, hazelnut hint, roasted coffee grain hints, oatmeal cookies, molasses, licorice and anise.

Aftertaste:
Rich oak, vanilla, caramel, dark chocolate, earthy notes, bourbon character, campfire smoke
Partial amount of alcohol in the taste but does not detract from the flavor. Sipping drinkability, pitch black appearance, full mouth feel almost syrupy.

Overall:
A truly smokey exceptional take on the style. Lots of oak and smokey goodness border-lining an sour stout like the great Madrugada Obscura. The Whiskey and vanilla beans keep everything in place so it doesn’t feel like a rauchbier and still maintaining a whiskey barrel character. In fact, the flavors actually compliment the whiskey very well. Feels right at home for this one. I am not sure what kind of oak was used in this but the oak was very different in flavor. Really complex and delicious stuff and highly recommended find.

Anime Corner:
Omoto Mitsuki from Tsukumo no Kanade was paired with Vanilla Noir because I wanted to showcase the monster in the label attacking the chicken. In this case, Omoto is the monster and her unleashing the demons is the vanilla, oak and dark fruit flavors onto your palate. The sourness and oak that comes from the beer is represented by her evil twisted gaze but the sweet side of the beer is how innocent she looks. Looks can be deceiving though as her power are at 11% ABV. Take care with this one.

Sources:
http://i.imgur.com/lGZmMxX.jpg

RU55 by Jester King

10418469_10101879189331480_5956805655657070918_nRating: 5/5

RU55 by Jester King is a 7.3% ABV Flanders Red Ale aged in oak barrels.

Label:
For generations, the farms of West Flanders have been tended to by large, anthropomorphic automations. In recent years, many of these farms have been taken over by large, multinational corporations, and their automations replaced by shiny new electronic robots. Scattered about the countryside, however, there are still a few intrepid farmers who insist on doing things the old-fashioned way.
___

Gotta give a great thanks to my friend Aaron at http://www.beermetaldude.com for hooking me up with this hard to find/brewery/Texas only exclusive beer. Jester King has been on the rise as one of Texas best breweries when it comes to sour ales and saisons. They make some very amazing beers. I have only been lucky to try a handful until recently since my friend has been hooking me up. A great donation to the site and vise versa. Thank you once again brother !

Aromas:
Sour wine grapes, dark fruits, oak, musty funky barnyard hay, caramel, cherries, biscuit bready, rye, brown sugar, hints of chocolate, toffee, sour apples and berries

Flavors:
Lots of oak, sour wine grapes, dark fruit raisins, biscuit bread, chocolate hints, dark cherry yogurt, caramel, toffee, musty and funky yeast notes, tart sour apples, oak, brown sugar notes, rye, berries, tart currants and plums.

Aftertaste:
Puckering tart dark fruits, caramel, biscuit, berries, wine grapes, sour funk and oak. No alcohol in the taste and a sipping beer with full mouth feel.

Overall:
There is something I love about amber ales since the first one I tried which was the Fat Tire Ale. This beer reminds me of the malty, biscuity and caramel ambers that I love with some very nice sour flavors. It is well balanced. I especially like how these characteristics really show as the beer warms up. It is a perfectly well made Flanders Red Ale and I highly recommend it.

Anime Corner:
Maria from Ghost Sweeper Mikami was used in this pairing to pair with the robot used in this beer as well as the variety of flavors in this beer. Berries and Cherry oak with souring grapes and malty caramel and the vest of dark fruit carry this one while Maria still packs a crazy sour punch but her sweetness is undeniable under that metallic structure of hers. She is a bad ass android and was the best choice for this paring!

Source:
http://e-shuushuu.net/images/2009-04-11-155961.jpeg

Calabaza Boreal collaboration by Jolly Pumpkin and Anchorage Brewing

10447766_10101860559515780_6371823018873301234_n 10394023_10101860560024760_2863712377557106199_n 10415612_10101860560209390_8266362246480931128_nRating: 4.8/5

Calabaza Boreal collaboration by Jolly Pumpkin and Anchorage Brewing is a 7.2% ABV Saison/Farmhouse Ale brewed with grapefruit peel, grapefruit juice and peppercorns all while aged in Oak Barrels.

Label:
He who fights with monsters should look to it that he himself does not become a monster. And when you gaze long into an abyss the abyss also gazes into you. -Nietzsche.

When introspection fails, it’s time to look outward for inspiration, perhaps Northward! One of the people who inspired me this past year is my friend Gabe Fletcher, of Anchorage Brewing Co, We brewed this beer together. I hope it inspires you Northward!

Warm Regards,
RON
___

Ahh sweet sweet Sour Jolly Pumpkin beers. I haven’t had one of these in a while, except for the recent Los Vivos y Los Muertos. Yet, to think that they would do a collaboration with Alaska’s finest in Sour beers, was an awesome treat. This beer is Jolly Pumpkin’s version. Anchorage also released or will release theirs soon. So let’s check this out to see if it is awesome.

Aromas:
Funky citrus, old oranges, grapefruit, flowers, hibiscus, brettanomyces, tangerines, stone fruit like peaches, plums, apricots, sour notes, wine grapes, lemon peel, peppercorns, honey, caramel, oak, vanilla, sour dough bread, brown sugar, waffle cone and mushrooms.

Flavors:
Definitely grapefruit juices and peels, stone fruits like peaches, apricot, plums, sour funk, wine grapes, peppercorns, coriander spice, citrus, sour dough bread, vanilla, oak, caramel, flowers, lavender, lemon peels, hibiscus, waffle cone, honey, pineapple, sage, mango and farmhouse wet hay.

Aftertaste:
Sweet and Tangy with sour mainly coming grapefruit and some of the brettanomyces. Lemon, oak, vanilla, coriander, peach and grapefruit linger. No alcohol in the taste. A sipping beer but actually refreshing and crisp at some points. Full mouth feel too.

Overall:
Very good saison with lots of sour aspects coming from the fruits and spices used in the beer. I am not sure if Brettanomyces was used in this but it feels like some may have been used. Either that with the fermentation of the oak barrel adding a bit of sourness it. It is strange as this is not a sour beer in the sense of what makes a sour beer sour, but a fruit tangy sour. This is why Jolly Pumpkin and Anchorage are perfect in their craft, especially JP since that is all the types of beers they brew. Sours and Saisons with lots of Calabaza Magia! Highly recommended for sure!

Anime Corner:
Neliel Tu Oderschvank from Bleach was chosen for this beer pairing because I wanted to show case not only the colors of the beer with her bu also the label and the anthropomorphic being with the antlers. While Nel is more like a goat, it falls along with the whole monster hybrid they were going for. Although, Nel is not a monster, but an Arrancar and a sweet innocent yet powerful Arrancar. She cares very much for her friends and Ichigo, the orange haired protagonist of the series. Gee look at that, there is an orange pumpkin there. LOL nice touch to the pairing for sure.

Sources:
http://chibisofa.deviantart.com/art/Neliel-206842148
http://khima.deviantart.com/art/Neliel-Tu-Oderschvank-108436195
http://e-shuushuu.net/images/2011-10-06-442998.png

Mogli by Caldera Brewing

10269587_10101845773836400_6632950322471472974_n 10341451_10101845774879310_3514171074839462057_nRating: 6/5

Mogli by Caldera Brewing is an 8.5% ABV World Class Imperial Porter Aged in Oak Barrels with Chocolate.

Label:
Caldera’s “Mogli” was inspired by the loss of a dear friend. This is a chocolate, oak-aged Imperial Porter. Mogli is complex, sweet, chocolatey, big and full of unconditional love! Sit, Stay, roll over, cookies? Malt beverage brewed with natural flavor. If ever in Ashland, Oregon, come by and check out the Caldera Tap House. Located 31 Water Street.

Served in a 10 ounce wine glass. Malts: Premium Two Row, Crystal, Munich, Brown, Pale Chocolate, Chocolate, Dark Belgian Candi Sugar, Natural Chocolate, Bourbon-Soaked Oak Spirals; Hops: Galena, Willamette; ABV: 8.5%, IBU: 55, SRM: 55.0
___

From the Caldera Kettle Series ~ Limited Small Batch Release, Mogli is a beer I have been passing up for the longest time. I guess it wasn’t until recently when I read the label that this beer was made for the loss of one of the brewer’s pet that I was like awe man, this is cute. I definitely had to try it. Now, without further ado, here is Mogli!

Aromas:
Rich Milk, dark and bakers Chocolate, chocolate yoohoo, plantain bananas, rich vanilla, blackberries, blue berry muffins, hints of oak, bourbon, dulce de leche caramel, cocoa powder, cocoa krispies, peanut butter, oatmeal cookies, cookie dough, dark fruits figs and dates, pecan pie, hazelnut nectar, hints of coconut, rocky road ice cream, marshmallow, white chocolate, mocha and notes of Kahlua.

Flavors:
Very Rich Milk, dark, bakers and Yoohoo Chocolate covered blueberries, blackberries, Chocolate Cheese cake, Banana Flan, maple grilled plantains, White Russian, White Chocolate, rich vanilla, oak, bourbon, blueberry muffins, dulce de leche caramel, dark fruit raisins, figs and dates, pecan pie, hazelnut nectar, marshmallow, oatmeal cookie dough, rocky road ice cream, oreo cookies, peanut butter, cocoa krispies, cocoa powder, chocolate cordial cherries, fudge cake, coffee cake, brown sugar and rum.

Aftertaste:
Lingering rich chocolate, banana and dark fruit complexities with hints of vanilla and caramel. No alcohol in the taste. A sipping beer with a smoothness that can be described like drinking chocolate milkshake. Medium mouthfeel and very creamy.

Overall:
HOLY SHIT! I love this beer! I definitely have a new favorite. Who would have thought that for beer that is not as coveted as many other well known beers, that this one literally takes the cake, or atleast a huge chunk of chocolate cake. I got this beauty at Ramirez but I have seen it in many places like total wine. I believe they release this almost every year so without a shadow of a doubt, a highly recommended must try. I think what really does this one in is the chocolate and the other ingredients it shows it is made from.

Anime Corner:
Original artwork by Saintversa and allinix of Deviant art were used in this pairing mainly because of the colors and the label. Blue Green or Teal is my favorite color but I mainly wanted to show a black canine as I am unable to find many good pictures to pair these beers with. I take a gut feeling and usually take a perspective when choosing these. In terms of chocolate and dark beer, I felt this was perfect because I wanted to show guilty pleasure and unconditional love, in whatever form it may be for the loss of a pet. Hence why the canine anthropomorphic pictures are hard to see. Especially since anthropomorphic I guess in the “Furry world” (Don’t quote me on this, I am not a Furry) is the dividing line between man and animal or maninal. Essentially I am trying to say how pets are part of a family and we love them as such. Either way, this beer is very special and pleasant that you have to try it!

2014 Tripel Tonnellerie by the Bruery

10155300_10101781214903020_3523178394103404840_n 10297562_10101781214548730_3330845706120690822_nRating: 4.6/5

2014 Tripel Tonnellerie by the Bruery is a 9.5% ABV Belgian Abbey Tripel aged in oak barrels.

Label:
Tripel Tonnellerie is a Belgian-stykle Tripel ale that has been fermented in oak barrels, adding a layer of complexity and traditional farmhouse character. Best enjoyed fresh but may pleasently evolve over time if cellared properly.
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As part of the 2014 Preservation society, this beer was released for the first quarter of 2014.

Aromas:
Smells almost like a Berliner Weisse fuzed with a Tripel. Brettanomyces funk, oak, Farmhouse hay funk like notes, Rich Stone fruits like apricots, peaches and lychee, lots of lemon zest, peppercorns, coriander spice, sour apples, apricots, biscuit bread, honey, musty old grapes, flowers, vanilla, caramel, floral notes and mild banana notes.

Flavors:
Lots of Honey, peppercorns, oak, biscuit bread, chardonay, apples, sour white grapes, white wine, stone fruits like apricots, peaches, lychees, banana notes, musty sour funky notes, farmhouse hay, tart lemons, coriander spices, funky brettanomyces, citrus, hibiscus flowers, honey and butterscotch.

Aftertaste:
Finishing with honey, flowers, white wine, sour grapes, bicuit bread and vanilla. No alcohol in the taste. Moderate drinking yet smooth, crisp and refreshing.

Overall:
A very good beer that kinda makes you wonder where exactly is going. It is not a sour by any means but has enough tart flavors that reminds you of it being close. There is also like farmhouse quality to it that makes you think that this one was like a fusion of a Tripel with a saison with oak sour flavors. Not too bad if you join the preservation society, but hey on the plus side, it comes with Chocolate Rain.

Anime Corner:
Satsuki Kyurin from Kill La Kill was used in this pairing to pair with the flavors of the beer and the label. Her colors of the blue green almost pair with Juunketsu, her power armor. The beer flavors best describe her character. She is very cold and harsh in the beginning of the series, always en pointe, and always arrogant and ruling (ABV + Sour Flavors). As the series goes by SPOILER ALERT………………..She becomes a more loving and tender person especially after finding out the Ryuko Matoi (My favorite character) is actually her long lost baby sister and realizing the error of her ways toward her sister. She finds out that the bit of family that she does have in her sister makes up for the bitter way their mother is. She teams up with Ryuko and finds out how powerful they can be. The sweet flowery tripel flavory aspect of the beer represents this change because Satsuki found her way (Show’s theme “Don’t Lose Your way!), she found her baby sister (even though she treated her like shit without knowing at first) and was able to make amends. So this beer definitely tells the store about a Tripel who was involved in some sour notes but still maintained the sweet bread deliciousness about it. How’s that for a pairing . Cheers fans!!

2010 Black Xantus ((SPECIAL BIRTHDAY RE-REVIEW)) by Humboldt Brewing, brewed at Firestone Walker

10013941_10101721214614080_1221267500_n
10151411_10101721219968350_1741906109_nRating: 6/5* One of my first gateway beers, certainly one of my top favorites. 

2010 Black Xantus ((SPECIAL BIRTHDAY RE-REVIEW)) by Humboldt Brewing, brewed at Firestone Walker, is an 11% ABV Imperial Stout brewed with Mexican Jobella Coffee Beans and aged in Bourbon and Wine barrels. Cellared for 4 years.

COMMERCIAL DESCRIPTION:
Black Xantus is a rare bird and the first new release from Nectar Ales in Years. It is the First ever “big-beer” to be released under the Nectar Ales line. Barrel aged for 6 months in combination of Bourbon, retired Firestone Union and wine barrels and Infused with fair-trade, organic coffee from local roaster Jobella. Rich bourbon and coffee aromas greet the senses. Complex chocolate and tobacco flavors fill the palate. This beer displays a full-bodied mouth-feel and an overall balanced presentation. It would be a perfect pairing to rich chocolate desserts. 
Style: Imperial Java Stout IBUs: 50 Color: Black ABV: 11%
___

Today is my birthday and as a special treat, I wanted to do a re-review the first blog post I did long ago. Black Xantus is one of my favorite beers that got me into trying different craft beers (Aside from Lost Abbey and Arrogant Bastard) and was one which also got me into collecting beer labels. The first time I tried it was Christmas eve in 2010 after I had saved the this beer for about 1 year and was one that was told to be paired with chocolate dessert. I had saved it in remembrance of my departed mother. Back then when I tried it, it was so damn rich and paired so well with chocolate cheesecake that I knocked out for a bit. Even before the days of Black Tuesdays, Grey Mondays, super barrel aged chocolate beers, this one was one of my special ones. Hence the reason it sits to this day in the center of my beer bottle collection in the wall. I did not know much about barrel aged beers back then but after trying so many different beers but this was still my most favorite. So today, I bring here a bottle, aged for 4 years, to remember my mom and the day she gave birth to me. Today I am 31 years old, the age at which my mom had me. So bringing this beer out makes this even more the special occasion. 

Cheers!!

Aromas:
Rich coffee mocha, dulce de leche caramel, coconut, dark cherries, dark raisins, plums, blackberries, vanilla, oak bourbon, flan, choco flan, dark chocolate, milkshake, port wine notes, hazelnut, marshmallow smores, fudge cake, rocky road ice cream, sweetened condensed milk on bananas, pecan pie, brown sugars, chocolate chip cookies, Kahlua, roasty notes and almond joy. 

Flavors:
Cherries, Dark chocolate, milk chocolate, chocolate milk shake, roasted coffee grains, mocha, espresso, chocolate abuelita hints, vanilla, oak, bourbon, dulce de leche caramel, port wine, coconut, marshmallows, graham crackers, dark fruits like dark cherries, raisins, plums, choco flan, crème brulee, hazelnut nectar, pecan pie, rocky road ice cream, sweetened condensed milk, almond joy, banana notes, reminiscent of chocolate cheesecake, fudge cake, Kahlua, brown sugar and mild anise.

Aftertaste:
Roasty coffee lingers along with the sweet vanilla and caramel bourbon with the cherry and chocolate and finishing earthiness. No alcohol in the despite this thing is probably at 15% ABV after 4 years. A sense of smoothness with a sipping quality a thick almost syrupy mouth feel. Excellent!

Overall:
Right next to Mocha Wednesday is what this is, one of the best mocha chocolate coffee beers out there. After 4 years, it still grew into some great complex stuff. There was no doubt in my mind why this was my favorite in 2010 and the other years I tried it and certainly no doubt why even today, it doesn’t fail to amaze me. Sometimes, when it comes to beers, it is always best to remember where you started. I started trying different beers back then and if it wasn’t for this and beers like Trois Pistoles and St. Bernardus 12abt, I might as well have missed out on Beer, the lost treasure of taste and art!!

Anime Corner:
Asmodeus from Shinrabansho is the daughter of Asutarotto from that same card series. Though she may be a demon, she is of pure heart, but though evil women be, this can be said for even the utmost good. She was used in the first pairing of art work that made me try out different beers. Her main relation to Black Xantus has to do with her colors which pair with the Black Xantus background of the Blue Moon and the blue night sky. Xantus, being the humming bird, she rises to impart the great flavors of complex dark fruits, cherries, coffee, chocolate, bourbon and more into the beer. In this pairing she is kicking back and relaxing. That is pretty much what happens after 4 years of just laying down. She gazes into the soul of those who court her and while she may seem seductive and sweet in nature (Like a Rose which the Xantus drinks) she will bring forth a dangerous smite! But… only because she loves you… So basically, be careful with Asmodeus, take her in a sip at a time and don’t take her head on, cuz after 4 years she may come back with vengeance. Cheers!

Yo Soy Ün Berliñer by Freetail Brewing

1000927_10101650972519800_24424596_nRating: 4.5/5

Yo Soy Ün Berliñer by Freetail Brewing is a 4.4% ABV Berliner Weisse aged in oak barrels.

Label:
So stood President John F. Kennedy at the steps of the Rathaus Schöneberg, preparing to deliver what would become his iconic speech in front of 450,000 free citizens of West Berlin. “Today, in the world of freedom, the proudest boast is Ich bin ein Berliner!” A half-century later, our country embroiled in bitter political debate over the most trivial of ideals, we present this wood-aged Berliner Weisse as a tribute to the world of Freedom and an olive branch of collaboration to all those who can’t seem to get along. For those who wish to drink it, “Lass’ sie nach San Antonio kommen” – Let them come to San Antonio! Ingredients: Pilsen malt, malted wheat; traditional German hops; top-fermenting yeast; lactobacillus; natural, limestone-filtered, Edwards Aquifer H2O; jelly-filled donuts.
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This is the third Free Tail beer I have tried from Texas. Thanks to my good friend at www.beermetaldude.comfor hooking up a great of the great. So far, a lot of the Freetail brewing stuff has been awesome! I cannot deny their world classness in their ever growing brewery. Hope one day we can get some of their beers here in California. Thanks again Aaron and thank you Freetail, ya bat rastards!

Aromas:
Oak, Honey, oats, cereal grains, barley, wheat, citrus, lemons, grassy hops, funky brettanomyces, peppercorn, hay, and biscuit bread.

Flavors:
Lots of lemon, citrus, rich wood oak, biscuit bread, tejuino, teguacan, salt, sour apples, tart sweet lime, sour grapes, vanilla, wet hay, honey, cereal grains, oats, wheat, coriander spice, barley and sourdough bread.

Aftertaste:
Lemon, grains, oats, barley, grassy notes and mild sour apples. No alcohol whatsoever, moderate drinkability with a very refreshing, crisp and palate cleansing dryness.

Overall:
While Berliner Weisse isn’t my favorite style, this is very good. It reminds me of drinking a tejuino or teguacan. One is a Mexican flour drink made with salt and lemon and the other is similar but with setzer water. Although, this beer is more way more than those basic drinks ofcourse. You have to have a good appreciation for sours and Berliner weisse beers to appreciate the qualities of this one. Also, the sourness is not overwhelming but fitting more of this style and more of the tart than sour aspects.

Anime Corner:
Wo-Class from Kancolle/Kantai Collection was used not for the color of the beer but for several aspects. This character is supposed to be some kind of Alien girl with a ship. In the series it supposed to be a fleet of WWII ships fighting alien ships. The ships happen to be these personified characters. The way it relates to the beer has to do with the label color but mainly the barrel aging process of lactobacillus in the oak that ferments the beer. Yes, literally, the little alien thing on her head represents that bacteria which makes the beer, in this case the “blonde girl”, sour out. The purple and red colors represent some of those oak and wine like properties of the fermentation. So yes, it is a stretch but it still looks bad ass. That and the fact that the girl has evil eyes like a vampire which fits the whole “Free Tail” bat of the beer. The girl is the Berliner!

2011 Project Bourbonic Plague by Cascade Brewing

1888652_10101647503521700_1062009294_n 1601349_10101647504195350_1981199463_n 999398_10101649156324470_562184422_nRating: 6/5

2011 Project Bourbonic Plague by Cascade Brewing is a 12% ABV North West Style Sour ale aged in oak barrels and spices.

Label:
This NW style sour ale is a blend of spiced Double Porters that were aged in Bourbon and Wine Barrels for 18months before aging on dates and spices for up to an additional 12 months. This hand-packed and bottle conditioned sour ale should be served at 40 degrees Fahrenheit. 
___

Obtained from bringonthebeer.com and a rare specimen at that, this ale is a conundrum and a hybrid all of its own. I have not had a sour aged in wine oak and bourbon and let alone one aged in wine as well. Lots of work and preparation time spent in this little complex gem.

Aromas:
Red Wine, dark chocolate, dark fruits of raisins, cherries, plums, blue berries, currants, dates, caramel, vanilla, oak, bourbon, coconut, funky sour grapes, port wine, cinnamon, fruit cake, flan, almond joy, fudge brownie, brettanomyces, stone fruits like apricot, peaches and lychess, molasses, fancy wine aromas, flowers and other stuff, damn.

Flavors:
Rich flow of crazy complexity! Red wine, sour grape notes, Chocolate covered currants, tart dark Cherries, raisins, plums, prunes, blue berries, black berries, dates, apples, apricots, pears, oak, vanilla, bourbon, coconut, dark chocolate, milk chocolate, fudge brownies, peaches, flan, cinnamon, brown sugar, fruit cake, rye bread, dulce de leche caramel, coffee and mocha notes as it warms up, key lime pie, hints of peppercorn, mild brandy and more sweet stuff.

Aftertaste:
Lingering wine and bourbon, caramel, mild sour notes, raisin bread, tart cherries and sugar. NO alcohol in the taste, surprisingly and also moderate to sipping drinkability. Yes this is pretty smooth surprisingly.

Overall:
The best sour ale I have ever had aside from my favorite sour like Jolly Pumpkin’s Madrugada Obscura. Most sours don’t exceed my expectations but damn, this is just above and beyond! The flavors are really complex where at some point you feel like sour tart cherries, then wine, then sweet chocolate, then bourbon then caramel, then flan, then… damn! This should not even be categorized as a major sour beer as it really is more than that to the point where people that do not love sours will find some kind of crazy appreciation for this poison in a bottle, that’s, this is just the poison you need. At some points I thought this felt like Chocolate Rain if it went sour…lmao!!

Anime Corner:
Midna from Legend of Zelda Twilight Princess and Dead Master from Black Star Rock Shooter were the perfect poisons I mean pairings for this beer. The colors as well as the magic Midna uses like casting a spell is what is used to make this liquid death very tasty. Same for the Dead Master in her dark green castle background. Midna is another favorite character of mine as well so the pairing did the beer justice in show casing several aspects of witchery, the plague and medieval times too. Dead Master represents the aspect of death which the bubonic plague brings.

Vintage Series Barrel Aged 2012 Dancin’ Monks by Aldebert’s Brewery

1558586_10101647502174400_1058111900_nRating: 4.8/5

Vintage Series Barrel Aged 2012 Dancin’ Monks by Aldebert’s Brewery is a 9.1% ABV Belgian Dubbel Aged in oak barrels. 

Label:
The Ale: A complex ale with a sour wine funk and plum fruit aroma. Pairs well with tangy cheeses, rich meats, fried foods and fruit based desserts.

The Story:
The Columbian Monks could really cut loose during the annual retreat hosted by Del at his Naivasha Lake House in Kenya. After a glass you might find yourself doing your own little happy dance.
___

I am familiar with Aldebert’s brewery as I have tried one of their beers back in 2011 when my friend Matt had hooked me up with it long ago. This rich goodie was provided by my good friend Aaron at www.beermetaldude.com in Texas. A Texas exclusive beer but generously donated to the site for review. So it is with great pleasure and a great honor to try this limited edition vintage ale here.

Aromas:
Caramel, wine grapes, funky notes, oak, mild bourbon, leather, honey, chardonay, apricots, vanilla, honey, apples, brown sugar and cloves. 

Flavors:
Caramel, plums, raisins, wine grapes, oak, vanilla, honey, wheat, funky barnyard hay, mushrooms, brettanomyces, candy sugars, tart cherry, peppercorns, apricots, sour apples, citrus, coriander, fancy cheese, bourbon, banana notes, clove spice, tangerine marmalade on rye bread and butterscotch.

Aftertaste:
A dark fruit, caramel, brown sugar aftertaste with a good amount of barnyard hay and funky wine oak notes. No alcohol in the taste but moderate to sipping drinkability on this one. While yes, it is a funky little beer, it has a smooth component too it too.

Overall:
A very good dubbel and a particular style that I have not tried before. I have tried Bourbon Barrel Aged quads before but a Wine Oak Barrel aged dubbel is quite a treat and very unique. Although, this beer reminds me of the Fantome Beers of Belgium with similar flavors. They are very good and this one is just as good if not in par to those. Amazing stuff and an honor to try them.

Anime Corner:
Wang Yuanji from Dynasty Warriors was used in this beer pairing to represent the the Monk’s dancing as in the beer name but also to represent the beer label’s colors. The blue dress with the gold pair those colors. In the background it almost looks like Wang is dancing. Can you see any other features of this pairing that best complement?

Ol’ Oi by Jester King brewing

46142_10101623071603460_83014632_n 1606952_10101623072526610_1888985837_nRating: 4.8/5

Ol’ Oi by Jester King brewing is a 6.2% ABV organic Sour Brown Ale Aged in wine oak barrels

Label:
Oi! Dems was da good ol’ days. Rowdy gigs ‘n Stoke-on-Trent filled wif da stench o’discontented youf. Oh, but da times, dey do change. Da next t’ing ya know, you’re pluckin’ an upright bass in a Gypsy-fusion proto-funk jazz band an’ touring Stateside for a bunch o’ Yanks. But all’s well dat ends well as dey say. As far as I see it, I may be ol’ an’ soured, but I ain’t stale an’ stiff.
___

Thanks to Aaron of www.beermetaldude.com for another awesome Jester King beer of Texas. As I had said before about these guys, they have been quite the ordeal to get their good saisons here in California. Some of their best ones can only be bought in their brewery exclusively, so getting these for a review is quite an honor, especially a second one. Hopefully, one day Texas laws will favor the craft beer fans to allow for more distribution. Until then, we will still find ways to show some awesome reviews and pairings here on the site.

Aromas:
Deep funky wine grapes, dark tart cherries, caramel, oak, dark fruits, vanilla, biscuit bread, toffee, lots of funky sour notes but the tart cherry and toffee come out stronger.

Flavors:
Oak, vanilla, caramel, tart dark cherries, dark fruits like plums, raisins, biscuit bread, mild rye, lots of wine grape funky notes as well as a decent amount of acidity, apricots, apples, pears and mild brown sugar.

Aftertaste:
Still getting sweet tart cherries in the end along with toffee, earthy notes and funky wine grape that finishes pretty dry. No alcohol in the taste, but this one is a sipper.

Overall:
A very good sour that drinks like an oud bruin or a sour flanders. While the sourness is the most overwhelming component, the sweet and tart flavors balance it out very nicely. If you enjoy sours, this one is one of the better ones. It definitely seems like it will get way better with age. Be sure to let it warm up too as that is when the magic begins .

Anime Corner:
Chyoba-sama of the Sand Clan from the Naruto series is one of the strongest ninjas and the leading master of the puppet ninja arts. I am using her for this pairing as I wanted to pair the artwork of the label with her and also to remind about how things get better with age. Even at her old age, she is still one bad ass and deadly ninja granny.

Rueze by the Bruery

1505000_10101588086643600_1672602365_nRating: 4/5

Rueze by the Bruery is a 5.6% ABV Gueuze Style ale or sour Blond aged in oak barrels 

Label:
Oud Gueuzie

Our take on a gueuze-style ale, this intensely tart and funky beer combines three different vintages of our barrel aged sour blonde ale.

Rueuze is suitable for aging up to five years when cellared properly
___

Received this one as part of the preservation society series but is also made widely available to many markets. I have seen it in many places during the season and for many, this beer is an awesome sour.

Aromas:
Lemon, citrus, sour white grapes, grapefruit, biscuit bread, sour apples, floral notes, hints of berries, oak, apricot, hay, barnyard funk, must, and vanilla sweetness 

Flavors:
Lots Lemon peel, citrus, apricot, sour grapes, pears, oak, flowers, hints of berries, tart pears, funky brettanomyces, wet hay, vanilla, cheese and crackers.

Aftertaste:
Tart grapes, cheese and cracker notes, citrus and oak. It is a moderate to sipping beer. No alcohol in the taste.

Overall:
If you do not like sour, you may find this beer to be difficult one. If you love to explore deep into the sour flavors, then this may be one for you. For the most part it is very good only if you enjoy sours.

Anime Corner:
Irma and Elina from Queen’s Blade were used in this pairing with the beer to show case several things. First, the colors from Irma and Elina cover some of the colors of the beer label. Second, When I think of the word Rueze, I think of 2 things. First Rueze almost sounds like rust which makes me think metal and this is representative of their armor and second, Rueze almost sounds like truce in which case they will eventually need to call it that way if they are to end the battle. The harshness of the sour blond flavors is the harshness of Elina’s Strike of the spear in Irma which causes here to make a last minute parry with her swords but it manages to pierce or tear up her so called armor.

Flemish Red Ale Grand Cru by Brouwerij Strubbe

1477572_10101538898382270_343257248_nRating: 4.85/5

Flemish Red Ale Grand Cru by Brouwerij Strubbe is a 6.5% ABV Flanders Red Ale aged in oak barrels

Label: 
A “Sour reddish brown ale” with a light sweet tint. Aged for two years in Bordeaux oak barrels and blended.
___

Ever since the Rodenbach Grand Cru, there was something special about actual Belgian Red ales which I did not expect. Taken the fact that some of the other Flemish Red ales I have tried may have been way tarter to close to sour kind of beers. That is really not a problem for me as I like sours especially Flanders sours like La Roja from Jolly Pumpkin. Never the less, I still enjoy more sweet beers and have a palate for enjoying a wide variety of flavors. I got this one because I wanted to try another example of a Grand Cru, seeing as how I have yet to try one that hasn’t let me down 

Aromas:
Lots or cherry, grape, caramel, apricots, pear, oak, wine notes, sweet biscuit bread, raspberry preserves, cherry pie, brown sugar, strawberries, honey, peppery spices and a bit of cinnamon

Flavors:
Rich in Cherry, toffee, caramel, moderately tart cranberry, strawberry notes, sweet bread, wine grape notes, oak, apricots, plums, earthy notes, cherry pie, dates, figs, honey, peppercorns, brown sugar, pears, peaches and apricots.

Aftertaste:
The beer finishes close to dry leaving some sweet oak., cherry, caramel and biscuit bread notes. No alcohol in the taste and easy to moderate drinkability.

Overall:
I found this one to be very good. More along the lines of moderately tart than sour. It seems more like that Window Sill beer from the Bruery but sweeter. It is actually fruitier and oakier than it is sour. Belgian and Flanders Red Ale lovers will like this one

Anime Corner:
Rias Gremory from High School DXD is used as the pairing to showcase the label colors. Her personality is very sweet like this beer but if anyone messes with the person she loves, she becomes sour. The reason she is not very sour is due to the fact that she is more accepted in the Human world than seen as a Devil, which her family to a clan of Devils. Therefore, this beer is not completely evil and is with the Belgian beers and abbeys, it is blessed as a Grand Cru which makes Rias a good person… hopefully

Samael’s Oak Aged Ale (Batch #9) by Avery Brewing

1460042_10101525488555670_969848465_nRating: 5.2/5

Samael’s Oak Aged Ale (Batch #9) by Avery Brewing is a 16.9% ABV English Barleywine aged in Oak Barrels

Label: 
Samael is the prince of demons, the angel of death, accuser and destroyer. Filled with enmity towards man, he planted the vine, the forbidden tree of paradise. Behold his venom and vengeance, both sweet and tempting, enticing you, his spellbound victim, within his wings.

Samael’s Ale is a super-caramelly, oak aged English-style strong ale. Perhaps the least hoppy (sacrilege here at Avery!!) beer we’ve brewed, to accentuate the malt. The oak is very apparent in this rich and high gravity ale, adding additional depth and complexity with a woody and cask-like nose and a pronounced vanilla flavor on the palate. This potent ale is the second installment, along with The Beast, of our “Demons of Ale Series”.

Brewed with Rocky Mountain water, malted barley, turbinado sugar, hops, yeast, and American oak chips.
___

The third and possibly the last of the Demons of Ale series from Avery that I have tried. I apparently missed out on this one some time early this year. I was able to find this at the Liquor Mart in Whittier California. While it is not often I find beers I want to try that may or may not be listed in my Wanted list, it was a reasonable price for a review. At 16.9%, that is one insane Barleywine

Aromas:
Lots or caramel, toffee, burnt sugars, brown sugar, raisin hints, black berry marmalade notes, herbs, oak, vanilla, orange notes, bourbon and rum notes.

Flavors:
Rich Oak wood, earthy notes, rich leather, rich caramel, orange and blackberry preserves, raisins, toffee, burnt sugars, flan, coconut, vanilla, maple, rich rye bread, butterscotch, cereal, french toast, flan, rum, light bourbon, brandy, rich fruit cake, chocolate cereal notes, brown sugar, and rich honey.

Aftertaste:
The finish wants to end dry but there is a maple, leather, dark fruit and rich oak aftertaste with this one. A definite sipper with some boozy notes but nothing detracting from the sweet flavors.

Overall:
Exceptionally delicious beer. Strong but full of flavor. The only thing about this beer that seems to be a strong consistent theme is the oak and partial dryness it comes with. I love that part but it is kind of dangerous as you want to keep sipping more. If you love oak aged beers and Barleywines, have at this master piece.

Anime Corner:
This is a Fallen Angel designed by cushart.deviatart.com To go along with the Samael or Samuel Archangel story, this was the perfect pairing. The hair, the wings fit the label. Also, bursting from the magma shows the oak aged and burnt wood part. The fact that the beer is sweet and ends partially dry, makes one try to drink the whole bottle. It is strong and evil, just like Samael.

Alaska’s Most Wanted Series: Berserker by Midnight Sun Brewing

1377988_10101434254040370_1178468085_n 1385898_10101434255527390_442576642_nRating: 5.35/5

Alaska’s Most Wanted Series: Berserker by Midnight Sun Brewing is a 12.7% ABV World Class Imperial Stout brewed with maple syrup & molasses all aged in oak bourbon barrels

Label: 
Vicious and viscous, this menacing brew pours opaque black with a creamy maduro-colored head. Its aroma offers seductive whiskey, chewy red wine, dark fruit and lavish tobacco. Berserker Imperial Stout invades your taste buds with in-your-face flavor. Weighing in at almost 13% alcohol by volume, Berserker is completely out-of-control. Give it a good fight.
___

This is the first time I try this very epic beer. I heard great things about this beer and long behold, Ramirez Liquor had this in stock for review. Depending as to how this turns out, I think I will grab another bottle although I doubt there will be anymore left. Regardless, if you are able to find this beer just get it.

Aromas are of strong dark chocolate, milk chocolate, mocha, dark fruits, raisins, plums, strong with pecan and hazelnut notes, marshmallow, almonds, toasted coconut hints, flan, forward bourbon, rich caramel, toffee, maple syrup, oak, vanilla, molasses, licorice, anise, fudge cake and brownies

Flavors are of rich velvety maple syrup oak, bourbon, vanilla, dark chocolate, molasses, raisins, dark cherries, black berries, wine grapes, port wine, caramel, marshmallows, toasted coconut, roasted coffee notes, pecans, hazel nut, campfire oak and a banana notes.

The after taste leaves with a bit of bourbon, roasted notes, berry notes, maple sweetness and roasted coffee bitterness. Definite sipper and has a moderately boozy alcohol presence but does not detract from the flavors. In fact it seems to be what adds the extra complexity to this beer. Although the bitterness may also take a little bit from it.

Over this is pretty kick ass and awesome. This beer is lovely and syrupy focusing a lot on the bourbon, oak, maple and berry flavors but also focuses on roasted bitterness. It is not bad but some people that may want more sweetness or super duper complexity will be left wanting more as the bitterness may get in the way. I like bitterness on this though. It surely does not disappoint. It does exceed my expectation points and gets some extra credit, but not the chocolate level of supreme that I enjoy in these types of beers. Still a freaking great beer.

Oude Tart by the Bruery

1378644_10101428781257870_622054171_nRating: 4.5/5

Oude Tart by the Bruery is a 7% ABV Flanders/Flemish Red ale aged in oak barrels.

Label: 
Oude Tart is a Flemish-Style Red Ale aged in red wine barrels for 18 months. Pleasantly sour with hints of leather, dark fruit and toasty oak. Oude Tart is suitable for aging up to five years when cellared properly
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Of the many sour releases by the Bruery, I have not tried this one. This is readily available around the Fall season. There are a few Flanders Red ales that I have tried. The ones that I like are La Roja by Jolly Pumpkin and the Rodenbach Grand Cru. Let us give this one a shot and see how it goes.

Aromas are of caramel, funky wine grapes, tart cherries, red wine, raisins, lots of wood oak, leather, lemon, cellar mustiness, brown sugar and vanilla bread

The flavors are of toffee, caramel, vanilla, oak, wine grapes, tart cherries, cranberries, red wine, leather, raisins, lemons, raspberries, sour apples, tart raspberries and slight biscuit bread flavors

The aftertaste leaves with a tart cherry, leather and caramel flavors. The drinkability is definitely sipping and alcohol is hidden

Overall the beer is very good. More tart than sour. I think what allows for such is the fact that it is aged for a while in the oak but also the rich ingredients also counter some of the sourness. So while it is still a sour, it is more of a tart beer. This beer reminds me of La Roja by Jolly pumpkin but with more oak and less wine flavors. Definitely a good try if you love sours.

Capricho Oscuro Batch 5 by Cigar City Brewing

1383159_10101428773358700_1514628837_nRating: 6/5

Capricho Oscuro Batch 5 by Cigar City Brewing is a ??% ABV World Class American Strong Ale

COMMERCIAL DESCRIPTION (Ratebeer.com)
This beer is a blend of at least five different beers, including Hot Blooded Foreign Stout, Puppy’s Breath Robust Porter, and several vintages of Warmer Winter Winter Warmer. These beers were aged in some cognac and brandy barrels before being blended together.
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Hard to come by, looked and looked for this piece of barrel aged treasure all over. Hard to get. Impossibly rare? Maybe, not as much as other but still it was hard to come by. This beer seems very good but very evil and mysterious. Without an ABV to gauge it, I am pretty much lost in the dark as to how strong this one is that it is kind of scary. Perfect art pairing with Majora from Legend of Zelda Majora’s Mask. Anyway, if you manage to find this one, choose wisely.

Aromas are of rich dark fruits like raisins, prunes, figs, dates, dark cherries, raspberries, milk chocolate, dark chocolate, toasted hazelnuts, pecans, coconuts, vanilla, cognac, brandy, notes of Hunnapu like the spiciness of it, caramel flan, chocolate cake, dessert wine, port wine, rocky road ice cream, almond joy and maple

The flavors are of dark chocolate, milk chocolate, brandy, cognac, dark cherries, raisins, figs, prunes, toasted coconut, hazelnuts, pecan pie, flan, port wine, rocky road ice cream notes, almond joy notes, caramel, vanilla, toffee, raspberries, maple, molasses, anise, slight smokiness, leather, tobacco, bourbon, Cordial Cherries and chocolate covered raspberries

The aftertaste is pretty complex leaving trails of sweet caramel, chocolate, oak, brandy, cognac, dark fruits and a bit of port wine. This beer is a definite sipper. The alcohol is noticeable but very pleasant and warming. The alcohol only brings the rich flavors above and it is nothing harsh. 

Overall this is an amazingly delicious beer, exceeding exceptions. I cannot guess the ABV from the taste which is scary but also good that it comes in a small bottle to sample. Definitely like some of the best beers in the world. Close to Melange 3, close to Black Tuesday, Grey Monday and even some of the other Bruery anniversary ales. What can I say about CCB, other than it is “The Bruery of the East Coast” making some of the best beers in the world possible like many champions. If you can find this, definitely get it.

Bourbon Barrel Aged Smashed Pumpkin by Shipyard Brewing

541363_10101405104176930_1311754114_n 1234765_10101405104127030_803219720_nRating: 5/5

Bourbon Barrel Aged Smashed Pumpkin by Shipyard Brewing is a 12% ABV Pumpkin Ale aged in Bourbon Barrels

Label: 
Our Bourbon Barrel Aged ales are brewed and carefully cellar-aged in small batches in dedicated bourbon barrels at our brewery in Portland, Maine.

Hops: Willamette, Saphir
Malts: Pale, Whole Wheat, Munich
Yeast: Top-fermenting English
Color: Honey
Aroma: Oak spiced, vanilla, nutmeg and cinnamon
Body: Light to medium
Finish: Warming, smooth, and velvety
IBU: 35
SRM 14.85

Recommended Serving temperature is 55 deg. Fahrenheit in brandy-style stemware. Aged over 100 days. Unlimited shelf life
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As an added bonus last year, Shipyard released this hard to get beer along with their awesome smashed pumpkin yearly release (which to me is the “best common” pumpkin beer ever). Unfortunately, I was never able to pick this release up until recently. One of the local places had it in stock for a limited time. So as pay back for last year of missing out on this beer to review, I will spend no time wasted and get on with the show.

Aromas are of rich vanilla, whiskey, bourbon, oak, pumpkin, dulce de leche caramel, honey, squash, brown sugar, pilloncillo sugar cone, maple, cinnamon, sweet potatoes, toasty coconut, chocolate hints, flan, pecans, nutmeg, coriander and citrus.

The flavors are of oak and whiskey. Vanilla, coconut, pumpkin pie, pecans, nutmeg, cinnamon, whipped creamed flan, dulce de leche caramel, sweetened condensed milk, maple, sweet potatoes, marshmallows, chocolate notes, graham crackers, pumpkin flesh in pilloncillo sugar cone syrup, milk, brown sugar, cloves, coriander, citrus and ginger pumpkin bread.

The aftertaste is oaky and sweet with pumpkin and bourbon whiskey lingering. This beer is boozy and is definitely a sipper. Do not let the moderate body fool you. The mouth feel on this is close to syrupy. YUM!!

Overall, this is way better than the original smashed pumpkin. I think I drank this way too fresh as the booze was not well hidden. It is not a problem at all as I rather enjoyed those sweet oak and whiskey notes. They compliment the pumpkin very well. This, however, needs sometime to sit in a cellar for a while in order to become exquisite or exceed expectations. Nevertheless, An awesome beer that has become on par with some of my other Barrel aged and non-barrel aged pumpkin beers I have reviewed here. 

Original Smashed Pumpkin Review:
https://brewerianimelogs.wordpress.com/2012/10/31/smashed-pumpkin-by-shipyard-brewing/

Allagash Bourbon Barrel Black by Allagash brewing

533992_10101395283597450_1145893645_n 1175423_10101395282349950_383455296_n 1175213_10101395281546560_1309066990_nRating: 5.75/5 *Bring on the chocolate

Allagash Bourbon Barrel Black by Allagash brewing is a 9.2% ABV Belgian Stout aged in Oak Bourbon Barrels

Description (Beeradvocate.com):
Our Belgian Style Stout, Black, aged for one year in bourbon barrels. The toffee,chocolate and coconut nose is followed by a smooth bitter chocolate and bourbon flavor. The finish is dry, roasted and warming. 
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First heard of this one several months ago. It was believed that back then this would only be released in small quantities from Portland Maine. Not very many online places will ship this. Some will depending on where you live. I hope we can expect more as the time comes. As I mentioned in other reviews about Belgian Stouts, these tend to be some of my favorite styles of beer. Allagash Black was very good after the many times I have tried it. Now for a Barrel Aged version? Well, we shall see how seductive this one is.

Aromas are of coffee, caramel, mocha notes, dark chocolate, milk chocolate, raisins, oak, bourbon hints, vanilla, slight coconut aroma, pecans, dark fruit, fudge brownie notes and cherry hints

The flavors are of rich milk chocolate, dark chocolate, coffee, mocha, pecans, hazelnut spread, dulce de leche caramel notes, bourbon notes, slight oak and smokey notes, vanilla, dark fruits like cherries, raisins, plums, chocolate cake batter, brownies, coconut notes, spicy cloves, anise and almond joy chocolate

The aftertaste leaves with a nice chocolate brownie sweetness along with smoke and oak notes to keep stuff balanced. Not in the realm of super strong barrel aged beers but the alcohol is super hidden. Definitely a sipper and meant to be enjoyed for a while

Overall, the beer freaking great. The bourbon, although subtle, brings forth new flavors as well brings about stronger flavors, especially the chocolate and caramel. The flavors get more complex as the beer warms up. Similar to the Folklore Pappy Van Winkle, this beer brings a whole lot to the style. The beer just starts to give out a great amount of coconut, chocolate, dark fruits, bourbon and caramel as it warms. Goes to show, that even for a barrel aged beer under 10% ABV, might be worth the price.

Original Allagash Black Review
https://brewerianimelogs.wordpress.com/2013/03/15/allagash-black-by-allagash-brewing/

Windowsill by The Bruery

1233475_10101391540932780_1930520574_n 1237015_10101391541526590_197555696_n 1237018_10101391541312020_124420662_n 1240551_10101391541162320_2037504717_nRating: 4.85/5

Windowsill by The Bruery is a 10% ABV Fruit Ale brewed with Raspberries and Rhubarb and fermented in Oak barrels. A pie-inspired collaboration between The Bruery and Evan Kleiman of Good Food on KCRW

Label: 
Evan Kleiman, host of KCRW’s Good Food, was inspired to collaborate with Patrick Rue and The Bruery after enjoying a homemade Rhubarb Raspberry Pie. The rhubarb’s fruity sourness tempered with the sweetness of the fresh raspberries and the wheat crust, begged to be bottled up in the form of a bubbly beer. Keeping the original pie recipe in mind, specialty grains were chosen to mimic the crust, and rhubarb and raspberries were used in varying stages of the brewing and fermentation process. The resulting beer is reminiscent of a fresh country pie, cooling on a farmhouse windowsill.
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The pie beer. A lot of beers seems like they could taste like pie. Lots of pumpkin ones sure do. However, this one, is focused on being a pie in a bottle. Long anticipated wait for this beer when I first heard of it. Also, if you live in California, you can get this. The Bruery will send it to you:http://www.thebruerystore.com/p-107-windowsill.aspx

Aromas are of tart raspberries, blueberries, guava, pie crust, caramel, biscuit bread, honey,strawberries, brown sugar, rhubarb, herbal, cane sugar, flowers, hibiscus, grapes, rhubarb, vanilla and oak.

The flavors are of very tart raspberries, tangy and herbal rhubarb, cherries, guava notes, strawberries, vanilla, hints pie crust with whip cream, blueberries, hibiscus, herbs, spices, lemon peel, blackberry preserves, sugar cane, caramel, brown sugar, concord grapes, citrus, honey and butterscotch biscuits

The aftertaste is borderline tangy, tart and mildly sour with a bit of herbal bitterness and lingering fruity and bready sweetness. Like a tart pie. Definitely a sipper. The beer shows no alcohol in the flavor.

Overall, I have not have had rhubarb before, but I have heard it is very tart, if you can work with the tartness to find the sweet delicious raspberry and pie crust, then you have an awesome fucking beer here. A tart pie in a bottle. If you let it settle and warm up, you will enjoy this. Not quite a sour beer but definitely quite the tart one. If you love sours and love to play with flavors, this one is freaking amazing. Not overpowering sweet but enough tartness to make it even. If you are not a sour or tart beer person. As for me I really enjoyed this one. Sweet and tart at the same time.

The Zombies Take Manhattan Imperial Zombie Killer by B. Nektar Meadery

1235139_10101385075025510_1873119161_n 601378_10101385076163230_1171027814_n 598511_10101385077340870_357269747_nRating: 5.25/5 *Mead Rating

The Zombies Take Manhattan Imperial Zombie Killer by B. Nektar Meadery is a 12%ABV Imperial Mead fermented with Apple, honey and cherries added then aged in rye whiskey barrels

Label: 
We thought we had them under control. The antidote was working. But life, or even death, finds a way. After a year of successful treatments, their bodies stopped responding and grew nearly twice their normal size. Now they’ve overrun the city. I fear it’s too late for mankind. They’re coming… B. Afraid
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Thus begins, the second chapter in the story of the zombie killers. Equipped with a sweeter and stronger tasting arsenal, I am sure will be awesome. This is the second Mead I get to try and the barrel aged version of the one I had reviewed which was very delicious. Check out the first chapter here: https://brewerianimelogs.wordpress.com/2013/09/12/zombie-killer-cherry-cyser-by-b-nektar-meadery/

Aromas are of vanilla, strong cinnamon, apples, cherries, raspberries, rye bread notes, whiskey, green tea, chamomile, hibiscus, caramel, mint, flowers, brown sugar and oak

The flavors are of rye bread, rye whiskey (not over powering at all but delicious), apples, dark cherry and raspberry yogurt, cherry cobbler, vanilla, cinnamon, mint, chamomile, hibiscus, butterscotch, slight smokey from the oak, pine tree, spices, brown sugar and flowers.

The after taste is of oak, cinnamon, apples, cherry and rye taste. No alcohol presence in the taste, going down, Nothing!! This is way to easy too drink, way too easy for it’s own good. I said it’s own good, not mine. If were to drink 6 of these I would become a zombie and I wouldn’t even know it

Overall, it went past the original. The insane part of this mead is that the whiskey is very hidden. So hidden that it is kind of dangerous as it is very smooth. No alcohol burn no nothing. The only part that is strong is the rich and delicious flavors. The second and possibly the last chapter in the zombie series for B. Nektar brings forth some really undead and unbelievable tale of a mead. Let’s just put it this way, for 12%ABV, I get slighter alcohol strength to some degree in like let’s say barrel aged beers. For those I don’t, they did an awesome job with their complex blend. This may not be super complex like a special Barrel aged stout for example, but it becomes champion of fooling the population. No wonder the zombies took over.